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SYLLABUS 



OF A 



GENERAL LECTURE 



AND A 



COURSE OF THREE LECTURES 



ON 



The History and Development 



OF 



The City of New York 



City History Club of New York, 23 West 44th Street 



0*"Vv-( K»sVor"M c\oi 



DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 

THE CITY OF NEW YORK 



Free Lectures to the People 



SYLLABUS 



OF A 



GENERAL LECTURE 



AND A 



COURSE OF THREE LECTURES 



ON 



The History and Development 



OF 



The City of New York 



This syllabus has been prepared especially for lectures to be 
given during the celebration by New York of its 350th anniversary 
as a chartered city. In plan and scope the lectures follow lines 
suggested by the work of the City History Club of New York. 

In this syllabus are presented only the main facts and a brief 
description of the slides used, no attempt being made to put the 
lecture into a literary form, that being left to the individual lecturer. 

The following list gives a few of the most accessible books of 

reference : 

GENEEAL. 

Wilson's "Memorial History of the City of New York." (Ap- 
pleton. ) 
(Particularly valuable for chapters on Government and the 
early charters). 

Lamb's "History of the City of New York." (Barnes.) 
Todd's "Story of the City of New York." (Putnam.) 
Stiles' "History of Brooklyn." 

dutch: peeiod. 

Innes' "New Amsterdam and Its People." (Scribner.) 

(Dealing in a critical manner with many interesting facts con- 
nected with the Dutch city). 

EEVOLUTIONAEY PEEIOD. 

Johnston's "Campaigns of 1776 Around New York and Brooklyn." 

Long Island Society Memoirs. 

THE MODEEN CITY. 

"The New Metropolis." (Appleton.) 

DESCEIPTIVE. 
Valentine's "History of New York City." (Putnam.) 
"Valentine's "Manual of the Common Council." 
Janvier's "In Old New York." (Harper.) 

Hemstreet's "Nooks and Corners of Old New York." (Scribner.) 
Ulmann's "Landmark History of New York." (Appleton.) 
"Historic New York." (Half Moon Series.) (Putnam.) 
City History Club Excursion Leaflets. (23 W. 44th St.) 

(Brief descriptive itineraries of historic sites with maps). 

Suggestions as to many other helpful books may be obtained 
from "A Landmark History of New York" and the bibliographies 
published by the City History Club. 

Note.— See also page 38. 



SYLLABUS 

OF A 

GENERAL LECTURE 

ON THE 

History and Development of New York City 



The General Lecture is intended to cover the entire history of 
the city with a special view to its development into a metropolis; 
hence, comparative views are frequently introduced. The numbers 
refer to the slides, the titles of which are printed in heavy type. 

As this lecture is to be given in all the boroughs, it is advisable 
that in Brooklyn certain Brooklyn views be substituted for views 
of old Manhattan (marked *). These Brooklyn views are de- 
scribed at the end of the syllabus of the General Lecture. 

5. Henry Hudson. — Little known until his voyages for the 
English Muscovy Company. They sent him out to find a route to 
"Asia across the North Pole.'^ Invited by the Dutch East India 
Company to lead a similar expedition in their interests. 

6. Half Moon Leaving; Amsterdam. — Amsterdam, the leading 
port of the lately created republic, "the United Provinces of the 
Netherlands.'^ 

The Half Moon ("Halve Maen") was slow but sure, a yacht of 
80 tons' burden, manned by twenty Dutch and English sailors. 



Sailed from the quay near the Schreyers' Toorn ("Weepers' Tower" 
or "Tower of Tears"), a favorite point of departure for the Indies 
and still in use as the Harbormaster's Office. Hudson's route north 
of Norway and Eussia till stopped by ice, then west (instructions 
to return to Holland being disregarded) across the Atlantic in 
search of a northwest passage. Eeached^land near Newfoundland, 
then crossed south to coasts of Virginia, then, following John 
Smith's charts, arrived off Sandy Hook September 2, 1609. 

7. Hudson's Landing. — Hudson entered the Lower Bay Sep- 
tember 3, supposing he had found the mouths of three great rivers 
(probably the Earitan, Staten Island Sound and the Narrows). 
On the 4th he found a good harbor, met and engaged in trade with 
the Indians who were friendly ; went through the Narrows on the 
11th and anchored in sight of Manhattan; after three days started 
up the Hudson, thinking he had found the long-sought strait. 

8. Sappokanican. — Means "the carrying-place," an Indian vil- 
lage situated about the site of the present Gansevoort Market, just 
below West l-lth Street. One of the stopping places where Hudson 
obtained maize, pumpkins and tobacco from the Indians. The 
"long houses" were made by bending over the tops of long, parallel 
rows of saplings and covering them with birch bark; one of these 
houses is said to have been 540 feet long and 20 feet wide. 

Hudson continued up the river until convinced by the shoaling 
water that he was in a river ; explored as far as the site of Albany 
and then returned, leaving the harbor on the 4th of October. Ar- 
rived at Dartmouth, England, November 7th, but was forbidden 
by the government to return to Holland. 

12. Purchase of Manhattan in 1626, by Peter Minuit, the first 
regular Dutch Governor, for trinkets worth about $24. Traders 



had come to these waters in the years intervening since Hudson's 
discover}^ the Dutch West India Company had been organized 
(1681) and the first settlers, had arrived in 1623. 

13. Conflict with Indians. — Eelations with the Indians con- 
tinued friendly for some time, trade being established along the 
Hudson, Mohawk and Delaware Rivers. Not until Governor 
Kieft's time was there serious trouble, and then the difficulty came 
because he attempted to tax them and cruelly miirdered a number 
of them at Corlaer's Hook and Pavonia. Then all the surrounding 
tribes united, outlying plantations in Staten Island, Long Island 
and New Jersey were destroyed and the survivors had to flee to 
Manhattan. A general war ensued in which 3,000 Indians were 
slain and the power of the tribes broken. One valuable result of 
this war was that Kieft was forced to grant some degree of self- 
government to the colonists. 
(When in Brooklyn, insert 56 here; see page 38.) 

A view from Hartgers' "Beschrijvingh 

15. First View of „. ..,,,, , ., , 

van V irginia, taken b\ the camera ob- 

New Amsterdam. fi t? 1 1 ' i i ^ir^n 

scura Ironi the Brooklyn sliore about 16-30. 
The "Fort" is fanciful, having probably been inserted in accord- 
ance with the plan of the engineer of the West India Company, as 
the real Fort Amsterdam (which succeeded a temporary stockade 
called Fort Manhattan) was completed in Van Twiller's adminis- 
tration and contained a barracks, the Governor's house and later 
(in Kieft's time) the "Church of St. Nicholas.'' The fort was lo- 
cated just south of Bowling Green where the new Custom House 
is now being erected. The first houses were built of wood and lay 
scattered about under cover of the fort. The shore line followed ap- 
proximately the lines of Pearl and Greenwich Streets, and the 
windmill shown in the view was at about the foot of the present 
Broadway. 



Originally a creek leading to a swamp 

37. The Canal on ,^, j- t. ^ u ^ 

(Blommaerts Vly) immediately below 

Wall Street, deepened by the Dutch to act 
as a ditch to drain the swamp and, toward the end of the Dutch 
period, sheathed and made into a canal with a roadway on either 
side. It was crossed by bridges, one of which, shown in the pic- 
ture, gave the name to the present Bridge Street. The canal was 
used as a basin for small vessels, but was filled in about 1676, for 
sanitary reasons. 

38. Along the Canal.— This view represents a typical Dutch 
scene in old New Amsterdam with its canal or "gracht," high- 
stooped houses with crow-step roofs built of bricks brought over 
from Holland as ballast. Homes "along the canal" were regarded 
as most desirable, even the "smell" heightening the value of the 
locality to the homesick Dutchman. 

39. Broad Street To-day. — Eepresents the same region 250 
years later and shows one of the great contrasts in which our city 
abounds. The old swamp frequently reasserts itself, as builders 
of skyscrapers learn when it becomes necessary to go down from 
fifty to seventy-five feet through the yielding soil to secure solid 
foundation. 

Supposed to have been first controlled by 

40. First Ferry 

Cornells Dircksen who ran the little boat from 
to Brooklyn. ^ ^ , 

very near the site of the present Fulton Ferry. 

Dircksen's own farm lay on the Long Island side of the ferry, and 
at times he combined the duties of farmer and ferrymaster, although 
he sublet the ferry to Captain Willem Tomassen and others. 

The horn was to summon the ferryman from his plow when a 
passenger desired to cross the river. Among the fees mentioned 
are the followin": : 



"For one cart or wagon with one horse, 2 Florins 

"every man, woman, Indian or squaw, 6 Stivers 

"a child under 10 years, half fare 

"one tun of beer, 16 Stivers 

"a 'mud' (4 bu.) of grain, 4 Stivers." 
The hours for running were from 5 a. m. until 8 p. M., "provided 
the windmill hath not taken in its sail." A large flat-boat was used 
in convejdng horses and carts across the river. 

Built about 1653 (succeeding an early 

44. Palisades on . 

lence to restrain cattle) as a defence against 
Wall Street. 

Indians and the New England settlers, these 

last being anxious to annex New Netherland to their own posses- 
sions. It ran from river to river. In the foreground, Peter Stuy- 
vesant may be seen walking along the inner side of the defences. 

45. Water Gate and Wall.— A view from the East Eiver end of 
the Wall about Pearl Street where the "Water Gate" allowed exit 
during the daytime along the "Eoad to the Ferry." There was also 
a "Land Gate" at Broadway. There were five bastions or block- 
houses along the line of the Wall, three of which were torn down 
at the end of the Dutch Period. Later, in 1673-4, during the Dutch 
re-occupancy of New York, the western line was turned down 
toward Eector Street, leaving the site of Trinity Church without 
the works. The Wall was removed in 1699. 

46. Wall Street To-day. — Named from the early AVall which 
limited the growth of the city for fifty years. After 1700, this sec- 
tion became the centre of city life. Trinity Church, at the head of 
the street, is the third building on this site, the first having been 
erected there in 1697. This was enlarged in 1737, burned in the 
great fire of 1776, rebuilt in 1788, and the present building was 
completed in 1846. 



47. Peter Stuyvesant.— The fourth and L^st Dutch Governor 
(1647-1664), "a just man of determined intentions" (although 
there is great cause to doubt his "justice" on some occasions), was 
certainly "determined" to "rule as a father" or a tyrant. A typical 
soldier (he won his wooden leg in the West Indies), he ruled better 
than his predecessors and tried to retrieve the evils caused by Kieft's 
Indian policy. He conquered New Sweden (Delaware), compro- 
mised matters with the English, but was disappointed in his policy 
of absolute government and hampered in his plans of defence and 
public improvements by the niggardliness and lack of faith of the 

West India Company, 

New Netherland 

48. Map of New Netherland and View of ■ . ,i ^ 

^ comprised the vai- 

New Amsterdam, 1656. , p ^i tt ^ 

leys of the Hudson, 

Mohawk and Delaware Rivers, including what is now eastern New 
York, New Jersey and Delaware. The Dutch claimed the Con- 
necticut Valley and all Long Island, but the English gradually 
pushed them west. In the view may be seen, within the Fort, the 
Church of St. Nicholas and the Governor's house and, to the east- 
ward, the gallows and hoisting crane. The view was taken from 
the east. 

Stuvvesant's countrv house, located about 
61. Stuyvesant's ^^,, A, , ^ .. »" 

lOth Street and 2d Avenue, near the site of 
Bowery House. 

the present St. Mark's Church. The Bowery 

(farm) Lane, a road leading from the Common (City Hall Park) 
along the line of Park Eow and the present Bowery was continued 
in the English days as the Post Eoad to Harlem and later to Boston. 
The house is supposed to have been the scene of the exchange of 
the Articles of Surrender in 1664. It was occupied by the Stuy- 
vesant family for several generations, and was finally burned in 
1777. 



The Stadts Herbergh, or City 

52. City Hall and Great Dock, ^ , -.^ ^ ^ • ^^.-, « 

Tavern, built of stone m 1641-2 

by Governor Kieft, later (1654) 

becoming the Stadt Huys or City Hall, and nsed as such until 

169!). Many stirring events occurred in this building, as it was 

the center of much of the public life of the city for fifty years. The 

Great Dock was not completed until 1675, during Andros' time. It 

was simply a basin for small craft and was sometimes called the 

"Wet Dock." 

DUTCH CHAETEE. 

Governor Kieft had been forced by the need for money and 
military aid to allow the colonists to elect a representative board, 
Twelve, later Eight Men. Stuyvesant also allowed a committee of 
Nine Men to take some hand in the government, but so much con- 
tention arose that a committee of three was sent to the States 
General of Holland to demand a city charter for New Amsterdam 
and village rights for the outlying settlements. After much op- 
position, these demands were granted, and New Amsterdam was 
formally proclaimed a city on the 2d of February, 1653, at the 
feast of Candlemas. By this charter those of the Small Burgher 
Eight (those born in the city, those who had been residents for one 
year, those who had married native-born burghers' daughters, 
or who had paid a fee for the privilege) had the right to vote for 
two burgomasters, a schout and five schepens. Xo one could hold 
these offices except those having the Great Burgher Eight, consisting 
of former and actual members of the provincial and municipal gov- 
ernments. Eeformed clergpnen, commissioned officers and those 
who secured the Burgher Eight by the payment of fifty florins, to- 
gether with their male descendants. 

Hereafter the right of "no taxation without representation," 



10 

which had for a long time been recognized in Holland, was author- 
ized in this city. Stuyvesant appointed the first city officers, re- 
fusing for several years to allow elections, but he was finally forced 
to carry out all the provisions of the charter. 

x\mong some of the first ordinances passed by the burgomasters 
and schepens were those forbidding the use of wooden chimneys, 
fighting with knives, carrying firearms, fast driving, and providing 
for 150 leathern fire-buckets and the formation of a "Eattle Watch" 
to patrol the streets at night. The inhabitants were forbidden 
to fell trees across the streets and were ordered to put rings in the 
noses of all their hogs, and, later, to keep their hogs and goats en- 
closed. The streets were surveyed and mapped, vacant lots were 
taxed heavily (in order to encourage building). As a result, the 
city grew quite rapidly, and, by 1660, there were 350 houses in 
New Amsterdam which, in 1664, included about 1,500 inhabitants. 
The West India Company, through its governor, controlled all mat- 
ters pertaining to commerce and the fur trade. Stuyvesant tried to 
regulate the value of the currency which consisted chiefly of beaver 
skins and wampum, with the usual results. The excise laws were 
rather severe. It was forbidden to sell liquor to Indians, or to any 
one during church hours or after nine o'clock at night. Licenses 
were to be paid to the city council, but were frequently appro- 
priated by the governor. 

Freedom of religion was allowed by law, although Stuyvesant 
tried his hand at religious persecution but was soon forced to allow 
complete freedom in church matters. One reason which is also a 
result of the policy of that toleration which has always characterized 
New York, was the cosmopolitan make-up of the population. There 
were at one time in New Amsterdam representatives of ten differ- 
ent nations and fourteen religious sects. The chief churches were 



11 

the Dutch Eeformed, French Huguenot and the Episcopalian, but 
Anabaptists, Quakers, Puritans, Lutherans and Jews were numer- 
ous and allowed freedom of worship. 

54. Three City Seals.— (l) The Dutch Seal. (Booth's History 
of New York, p. 139.) Argent per pale; 3 crosses saltire; crest: 
a beaver, proper (emblem of the fur trade), surmounted by a man- 
tle on which is a shield or and the letters G. W. C. (geoctroyeide 
West Indische Compagnie, or chartered West India Company). 
Date, 165-i. Under the base of the arms Sigillum Amstello Damen- 
sis in Novo Belgio (seal of x\msterdam in New Belgium) ; all en- 
closed in a wreath of laurel. 

(2) The English Seal (granted 1686). The English crown re- 
places the Dutch mantle. In the crest are two beavers enclosed in 
windmill sails. The sails and barrels represent the bolting indus- 
try, a monopoly of which was secured to New York merchants by a 
special act of 1678. The Indian supports represent the continued 
importance of the fur trade which was chiefly with the Iroquois 
of the Mohawk Valley. Eboraci is the genitive case of the old Latin 
name of York. 

(3) The American Seal (1787). Differs from the English 
chiefly in the substitution of the eagle and hemisphere for the 
crown, and a surveyor in place of one of the Indians. There have 
been several forms of this seal in use. 

Despite Stuyvesanfs appeals to the West 

India Company for additional defences and 

New Amsterdam. to xi x i j^x x 

supplies 01 war, the city was lett a prey to 

the foe who had for some time been encroaching by land from 
the eastward. The Connecticut Valley had long since been occu- 
pied by the English, Long Island was almost entirely English, and 



12 

many had come to the capital itself to enjoy Dutch tolerance and 

trade. 

The foe arrived in 1664— not from the northeast, to batter at the 
gates of the Palisades— but from the sea, a strong fleet anchoring 
in the upper Bay, with guns directed toward the puny fort. 

Stuyvesant resisted surrender as long as possible, but finally, on 
the 8th of September, 166-4, urged by the leading citizens, who 
wished to avoid a useless struggle, he allowed the flag to be lowered 
and the Dutch troops to marcli honorably out of Fort Amsterdam. 

65. Stuyvesant's Tomb.— After a trip to Amsterdam, to ex- 
plain the circumstances of the surrender, Stuyvesant returned to his 
Bowery, where he spent his last days in peace. He died in 1672 
(old style 1671) and was buried in the vault now beneath St. Mark's 
Church and marked by a tablet which is visible from the street. In 
the same vault lie the remains of an English governor. William 
Sloughter. 

66. Father Knickerbocker. — (Our debt to the Dutch). Al- 
thougli ISTew York City was under the English flag more than 
twice as long as under the Dutch dominion, Father Knickerbocker 
still remains our eml)lem. To the Dutch we owe the first settle- 
ment, much of the city plan below Wall Street, Dutch family and 
geographical names, the Reformed Churches, all of which claim 
descent from the old "Church in the Fort,"' our first City Charter, 
our high-stooped houses, and many customs, such as the Christmas 
stocking. New Year calls, the accompanying New Year cakes and 
"cookies," the coloring of Easter eggs, etc. 

In a larger w-ay we owe to Father Knickerbocker the beginnings of 
our commercial enterprise and integrity and, above all, the spirit 
of tolerance in religion. Our state laws as to land tenure are all 



13 

based on Eoman Dutch law, and many ideas as to our republican 
form of government and free popular education were borrowed from 
the Dutch republic where free institutions flourished as early as the 
sixteenth century. 

The English, like the Dutch, 
61. Portrait and Auto§:raph of , -, ^, ' , 

had gone through a war with 
James I. of England. ^ . ^ ^ . ^ , . . .^ 

fepam and had deieated tlie 

Spanish Armada in 1688, after which they began to assert com- 
mercial supremacy on the sea. Like the Dutch, they had engaged 
in trade with the Indies, and their successful colonization in Amer- 
ica began at Jamestown, Va., two years before Hudson's voyage. 

King James based his claims to nearly all the North American 
continent on the coasting trip of Sebastian Cabot in 1497, and con- 
sequently the Dutch were looked upon as intruders and usurpers. 
Although the Pilgrim Fathers had been kindly treated in the Neth- 
erlands, they were denied permission by the West India Company 
to settle at the mouth of the Hudson, as the Dutch feared that such 
a settlement might strengthen the English claims to the region. 

In 1622 the English protested against the West India Company's 
projected settlement. The expulsion of an English trading vessel 
from the Hudson by Governor Van Twiller added to the ill feeling. 
The events leading up to the Great Eebellion in England overshad- 
owed colonial questions and during the Commonwealth Cromwell 
thought it good policy to be on friendly terms with the neighboring 
republic, although the passage of an exclusive Navigation Act led 
to a short naval war. After the restoration of James' grandson to 
the throne of England, the whole question was reopened by the new 
Navigation Acts. 

The importance of Manhattan, lying at the entrance to the most 
valuable waterway to the fur region of the continent, had not es- 



14 

caped the notice of the French who .already had flourishing trading 
posts on the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes. But they had 
early antagonized the Iroquois who were fast friends of the Dutch. 
The New Englanders looked with greedy eyes at the little colony, 
and finally King Charles II. was induced to grant to his brother 
James, Duke of York, all lands between the Connecticut and the 
Delaware, bounded on the interior by a line connecting the then 
unknown sources of the Connecticut, Hudson and Mohawk with 
the east side of Delaware Bay. The conquest, as we have seen, 
was easily achieved and Colonel Eichard Nicholls, commander of 
the English fleet, became the Duke's first governor (1664-68). 

The names of New Amsterdam and New Netherland were 
changed to New York. The capture of New Amsterdam led to a 
short war between Holland and England, De Euyter blockading 
the Thames and holding London at his mercy. But in 1667, both 
nations wishing to combine against France, a treaty was made, 
leaving the English in possession of New York, but excluding her 
from the spice trade and Surinam. A new war broke out in 1670 
through Charles' secret treaty with Louis XIV. to aid the latter in 
the conquest of Holland, one result of which was the recapture of 
New York by the Dutch who were, however, able to hold the city 
but fifteen months (1672-3). 

to. Don§:ail Charter.— Governor Nicholls proclaimed the Duke's 
Laws which, while continuing the civil rights, took away the suf- 
frage of the citizens, although the English inhabitants had sup- 
posed that with the English flag would come the free institutions 
of New England. 

The Dutch Charter was continued in force, but all the officers 
were appointed by the Governor, three Dutch and two English 
aldermen taking the place of the schepens. The first mayor, 



15 

Thomas Willett, succeeded the burgomasters, and the former 
schout, Allard Anthony, was reappointed with the title of sheriff. 

The Great Burgher Eight was abolished, all burghers now being 
on an equality, and English became the official language. Later 
on, in 1686, during the governorship of Thomas Dongan, a new 
charter was granted which may still be seen in the Lenox Library. 
The Dongan Charter confirmed all previous rights and privileges, 
and expressly gave to the city the City Hall, Great Dock, ferry, 
market houses and all waste, vacant, unpatented lands on the island 
above low water mark, with coves, ponds, etc. The city was now 
first divided into six wards, and one Alderman and one Assistant 
Alderman represented each ward, but city officers were still ap- 
pointed by the Governor. 

103. Mont§:omery Charter. — The third important city charter 
may also be seen to-day. It added to the jurisdiction of the city 
all lands under water to low water mark on the New Jersey and 
Long Island shores, besides the islands of the Upper Bay and East 
River. 

A seventh ward, called Montgomerie (in honor of the Governor) 
was carved out of the old "Outward," including the region from 
Wall to Chambers Streets. Very few changes otherwise made. 

88. The Eng:lish City Hall. — The city had grown far beyond its 
original limits, and the old Stadt Huys was beginning to crumble, 
so, at the time of the demolition of the Wall (1699), a new City 
Hall was erected nearly on the site of the present Sub-Treasury 
(Wall Street, at the head of Broad Street), which continued as the 
headquarters of the local government until 1812. It was also used 
by the Provincial Assembly and later, as the State capitol. It 
offered a meeting-place for a time for the Continental Congress, 



16 

after the Eevolntion, and for a year it was used as the Federal 
capitol. 

Picture taken from a sketch made 

72. View of New York , ,i t i. j- + t? +i i + 

by the Labadist Fathers, who wrote 

from the North, 1679 ' . . i • ,i • 4. +i u 

a diary describing their tour through 

New Netherland. It was probably taken from near the head of 
what is now Fulton or John Street. The buildings along the East 
Eiver shore and near the fort are hidden in the natural depression. 
The windmills are on Broadway and the wagon is turning down 
the Magdje Paat (Maiden Lane toward the road to the Ferry, Pearl 
Street). This is the earliest view of New York from this par- 
ticular point. 

*78. The Junction of A view in later days of the street 

Pearl and Chatham which led into the Bowery. The lit- 

Streets in Colonial Days, tie brook crossed by the "Kissing 

Bridge" ran into the East Kiver through the line of Eoosevelt 

Street. 

(In Brooklyn lectures use 76 instead; see page 35.) 

*100. Lispenard's Meadows.— Originally a swampy region near 
the foot of Canal Street, which was reclaimed in part about 1730 
by Anthony Kutgers, who received, a free grant of the land for his 
services in draining it. Later, Leonard Lispenard, who lived on the 
hill Just south, married the daughter of Rutgers and, as the land 
passed into the daughter's possession, her husband's name became 
attached to the meadows. 

(In Brooklyn lectures use 77, page 35.) 

58. Bellman on Rounds.— The "Eattle Watch" were on duty 
only at night, and acted as watchmen and town criers. 



17 

58. In the Stocks. — A favorite mode of punishment in colonial 
days. The whipping-post was located near the stocks, in the neigh- 
borhood of the City Hall. 

79. First Milestone. —On the Bowery opposite Rivington 
Street, one mile from the English City Hall. Several of these mile- 
stones remain, marking the distance along the post roads to Boston 
and Albany. The first post route to Boston was established about 
1673, during Lovelace's administration, the route back and forth 
taking a month to cover. 

80. Bowery To-day. — Line of the old Post Eoad which continued 
to Union Square, Madison Square, and then northeast, nearly on the 
line of Third Avenue to Harlem. 

108. Fort and Battery, 1750. — Shows many changes since the 
Dutch days. The Dutch Church had been taken down and rebuilt 
in Garden Street (Exchange Place), a French Church had been 
built on Pine Street and a second Dutch Church (the Middle 
Church) just north of it on Nassau Street. The Battery was an 
outer fortification, the guns for which were not put in place until 
very near the time of the Revolution. 

A typical scene throughout the colonies 

at the beginning of the Revolutionary era. 

Liberty Pole. mi i , ii j. i .i ^.-i 

The local liberty pole was on the Com- 
mon" (City Hall Park) nearly opposite Warren Street. Repeated 
attacks on this by the British soldiers led to a fight between them 
and the Liberty Boys, known as the Battle of Golden Hill, which 
preceded the Boston Massacre by several months. 



18 

This was read to the army in Wash- 
118. Declaration of ^^^^.^^^^.^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^j^^ ^.^^ ^^ ^^^^ p^^.^. 



Independence. 



nt City Hall (marked by a tablet imder 



the Mayor's window) on the 9th of July, 1776. 

Immediately after the news of inde- 
ir. Bowlin? Green and ^^^^^^^^^ ^j^^ .i^izens rushed down 
Steamship Row. Broadway to Bowling Green and tore 

down the statue of George III. which was in the center of the little 
park. (The fence shown in the picture was brought from Eng- 
land in 1111.) 

121. Statute of George III. — The lead from the statue was 
melted into bullets and, later, "melted majesty was poured into 
His Majesty's soldiers." The stone on which the horse stood, the 
leaden tail and bridle may still be seen in the Historical Society 
rooms. 

The British fleet arrived in the Bay during the summer of 1776 
and 30,000 soldiers encamped on Staten Island. The Battle of 
Long Island took place on the 37th of August, Washington saving 
the fragments of the army by a successful ruse. (For full account 
of the battle see Stiles' History of Brooklyn, pp. 51, ff.) 

(When in Brooklyn insert 126 here, page 36.) 

125. Map Battle of Long Island. 

MAIN POINTS. 

1. Landing place at Gravesend Bay. 

2. Division of forces. 

A — New Utrecht. 
B— Flat Lands. 

3. American Forts and Line of Defence. 

4. Grant's feigned attack on Stirling, early in the battle. 



19 

5. British camp fires left burning at Flatlands and march of Brit- 

ish around to Jamaica Pass, through Bedford, to the rear of 
Sullivan's troops. 

6. Evident cause of rout; flank and rear attack; retreat to en- 

trenchments. 



The Cortelyou house is of his- 

12r. Rattle Of Lon§: Island, toxical importance, first as one 

* of the earliest Dutch houses on 

*128. The Vechten-Cortelyou Long Island, and secondly, for 

House, 1699. j^-g interesting and intimate 

association with the Battle of Long Island. 



Lord Stirling had been opposing General Grant since early morn- 
ing, when, at about 10 a. m., he became aware of a flank movement 
against him; but still he -fought vigorously until noon, when he 
found that retreat by the Gowanus had been cut ofE by Cornwallis' 
71st Eegiment and 2d Grenadiers, and the only way of escape open 
was across the Gowanus marsh and creek where both were broad- 
est. Stirling immediately faced about (while the soldiers were 
struggling in the morass) with some 570 Maryland troops and 
threw them on Cornwallis in the hope of checking him and so 
allowing the rest of the American brigade to retreat. 

The British were driven back to the Cortelyou house, which 
stood near the intersection of Post and Gowanus Eoads (west side 
of Fifth Avenue, near 4th Street) where they posted themselves 
and were nearly dislodged by the brave charges of the raw Mary- 
land militia, who were finally routed and escaped as best they could 
in confusion. Many, together with Lord Stirling, were captured by 
De Heister. Of the 400 Marylanders, about three-fourths were 



20 



killed and the greater part of the rest wounded. To their memory 
is erected a simple shaft on the ground where they fell. 

(When in Brooklyn insert No. 138 here, page 36.) 

(At 161st Street and Edgecombe Ave- 
141. Ro§:er Morris ^^^^^ ^^^.^^ ^^^g ^^ Colonel Eoger Morris 
(Jumel) House. ^^ ^^^^ -g^.^-^j^ ^^^^^^^ occupied by Wash- 
ington in September, 1776, and, later, by British and Hessian offi- 
cers. The residence of Stephen Jumel and Aaron Burr, who mar- 
ried Jumel's widow. 

On Havemeyer Hall, Columbia Uni- 

148. Battle of Harlem ., i . -.-.^.x. q. j. ^ -t, 

versity, about 117th Street and the 

Heiehts (Tablet^ 

' Boulevard. The British landed on 

September 15th at the foot of East 34th Street; Putnam's 5,000 
troops below Chambers Street escaped just in time and joined the 
main army at Washington Heights. 

A small force of British had made a sally early in the morning 
but were forced to retreat to the hollow just north of Grant's 
Tomb. Washington attempted to ambush them, but succeeded 
only in driving them nearly two miles down the island. The two 
chief American officers, Knowlton and Leitch, were killed while gal- 
lantly leading their troops. 

, ^^ „ , „ . , , Just south of Barnard College and 

149. Harlem Hei§:lits ,. ,, ^ 

T> 44W ,^ -r ^ directly west of the battle tablet. In 

Battlefield To-day. 

the background Grant's Tomb, a re- 
minder of another struggle for freedom. Though a small battle, it 
had the valuable result of encouraging the Americans who, up to 
this time, had met a continuous series of defeats. 



21 

„, . (November 16, 1901, 125 years after 

152. Fort Washingfton ,/,,,,, ' 

the battle) at 183d Street and Fort 
Celebration. „^ , 

Washington Eoad on the site of the 

fort. The tablet reads as follows: 

This Memorial marks the site of 

Fort Washington 

Constructed by the Continental Troops 

In the Summer of 1776 

Taken by the British after a heroic defence 

Nov. 16, 1776 

Eepossessed by the Americans upon their 

Triumphal entry into the City of New York 

Nov. 25, 1783. 

Although, on his retreat to Westchester, Washington had advised 
against any attempt to hold the fort, Congress ordered that 3,000 
men should be left to guard it, with the result that all were slain or 
made prisoners. 

Near the landing place of the 
*156. Old Powder Ma§:azine, ^.., „ , 

British (by whom it was used) 
Hunt's Point. 

at Throgg's Neck and located in 

what was known during the Eevolution as the "Neutral Ground." 
(Omit in Brooklyn Lectures.) 

*160. The Spy Oak.— With the Spy Oak is associated an in- 
teresting tradition — hence its name. When the British occupied 
Throgg's Neck and the vicinity of Pelham, small detachments of 
American troops were stationed as pickets to watch closely their 
movements and to give an alarm and dispute whatever movement 



22 

Lord Howe should make towards gaining the rear of the American 
Army. One of these detachments captured a British spy prowling 
around in the vicinity of the Westchester Pelham road, in a part 
known as Stony Lonesome, near the Haight Estate. The spy was 
hung on one of the largest branches of this oak ; tradition says, the 
one that hung over the road. Many legends have clustered about the 
old oak, and many of the superstitious would go far out of their 
way rather than pass this tree, beneath which the soldier was sup- 
posed to be buried, for fear of his ghost, which, like that of the 
headless horseman, had never been laid to rest. 
(Omit ill Brooklyn Lectures.) 

161. Nathan Hale.— The gallant patriot spy whose last words 
are so familiar. The statue stands in City Hall Park facing Park 
Place. Hale was caught when almost safe within the lines, tried 
in the Beekman greenhouse about 51st Street and First Avenue, 
and hanged (so says Prof. Johnston) in Artillery Park at 11 A. M. 

163. Hall of Records.— Erected about 1756 (between 1756-63) 
as the "ISTew Gaol" or debtors' prison. Chiefly famous for its use 
by the British as a military prison called "the Provost" because 
headquarters of the Provost Marshal Cunningham, a most cruel 
captor. 

In the vaults were four gloomy dungeons in which many a brave 
man met a shameful death. Ethan Allen was one of the notable 
prisoners confined here. In the early part of the 19th Century 
the building was greatly changed in appearance and was used as 
the Hall of Eecords. It has lately been torn down, as it interfered 
with the Subway, although many efforts were made to preserve the 
historic building. 

164. New Hall of Records. — (In course of erection.) 



23 



16T. The RMnelander Window.— (Corner of Eose and Duane 
Streets). Set in the Ehinelander Building as a reminder of the 
old Cuyler-Ehinelander Sugarhouse on the same site, which was 
also used as a military prison. 

iro. Martyrs' Memorial. —In the north end of Trinity Church- 
yard to commemorate the American soldiers who died in the Brit- 
ish prisons during the Eevolution, many of whom are here huried. 

172. Evacuation.— Scene of the last boatload of British soldiers 
leaving the Battery November 25th, 1776. (At this time may be 
introduced, if desired, the famihar story of how Van Arsdale 
climbed the greased flagpole and, after tearing down the British 
flag, nailed fast the American colors.) At sunrise, on every Evac- 
uation Day, a flag is raised on the pole which marks this site. 

On the same day the American 

173. Continental Army ^^^^^^ ^^^^^ .^^^ ^1^^ ^ity, marching 
Entering New York. ^^^^^^ ^^^^ g^^^^y ^o Chatham Street 

(now Park Eow), then on Queen (now Pearl Street) to Wall, and 
thence down Broadway. This was followed by a civic procession 
accompanied by General Washington and Governor George Clinton. 

175. Fraunces'Tavem-- (On corner of Pearl and Broad Streets) 
where a dinner was given to distinguished guests on the same even- 
ing. The building was erected in 1730 by Etienne Delancey, but 
has been used as a tavern for over 150 years. It was originally but 
two and one-half stories in height and constructed of Dutch bricks. 
The city has recently made arrangements to purchase the building 
and half of the block on which it stands. It is to be restored, so 
far as is possible, to its original form and converted into a his- 
torical museum. 



24 

178. Washington's Farewell took place December 4th, 1783, in 
the "Long Koom" at Fraunces' Tavern, a room still to be seen (now 
used as a restaurant) . After the "Farewell" to his officers, Wash- 
ington embarked at the foot of Whitehall Street, en route for 
Congress, to whom he was to surrender his commission. 

1 79. Van Cortlandt Mansion.— Built in 1748 by Frederick Van 
Cortlandt and now the property of the city. It was Washington's 
headquarters during the Eevolution and has been fitted up by the 
Colonial Dames as a historical museum where can be seen many- 
interesting relics of colonial and Eevolutionary days. 

181. Alexander Hamilton. — Born in the West Indies, but one 
of New York's most loyal and useful citizens. He had been Wash- 
ington's secretary, an officer in the war, and was a member of the 
Constitutional Convention of 1787. 

182. The Federal Procession — A great popular demonstration 
of all classes in the city to impress upon the Legislature then meet- 
ing (1788) the importance of ratifying the Federal Constitution. 
Hamilton's speeches and his papers in "The Federalist" had the 
desired result, New York entering the Federal Union as the eleventh 
state. 

The scene here shown is between Bowling Green and the fort 
(which was torn down shortly after to make way for the Government 
House, designed to be the Presidential mansion) . Kennedy House, 
No. 1 Broadway, a military headquarters during the Eevolution, 
stands in the background. 

1S3. Hamilton Grange — Still standing at 141st Street and 
Convent Avenue. Of the Thirteen (gum) Trees brought by Ham- 
ilton from Mount Vernon, Va., and set out to commemorate the 
original thirteen States, several still remain. 



25 

Attempts to induce New York to purchase and preserve these 
interesting relics have thus far been in vain. 

185. Hamilton's Tomb — South side of Trinity Churchyard. 
(Tell here the story of his political career and melancholy end.) 

EPITAPH. 

The Patriot of incorruptible integrity 

The Soldier of approved valor 
The Statesman of consummate wisdom 
Whose talents and virtues will be admired by 
Grateful Posterity 
Long after this marble shall have moldered into dust. 

On the 30th of April, 1789, on 

187. Washingfton Taking: ,, , i ^ ,^ i t? \- i. 

the balcony of the former English 

City Hall (at this period called 
Federal Hall). The railing of the balcony is now in the His- 
torical Society rooms. The Bible on which his hand rested is in 
the Masonic Temple at 33d Street and 6th Avenue. 

188. Sub-Treasury — Nearly on the site of the Federal Hall. 
The bronze statue of Washington was erected by the Chamber of 
Commerce, and the stone on which he stood is fastened to the wall 
within the building. 

190. St. Paul's Chapel.— Where Washington had attended serv- 
ice immediately before the inauguration. This is the oldest church 
building now standing in Manhattan, having been built 1T64=66 
(steeple added 1794). Within may be seen the pews of Wash- 
ington and Governor Clinton, besides several historical tablets. In 
the churchyard rest the remains of many people famous during the 
Colonial . and Revolutionary periods. 



26 

In "Kalch Hoeck" (Limeshell Poiut) 

201. The Collect or ^^^^^ ^ ^^.^^ projecting into the Collect 

Fresh Water Pond. p^^^^_ ^^.^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^.^^^ ^.^^^ 

feet deep and about seventy acres in area, covering part of the re- 
gion bounded by Elm, White, Leonard and Mulberry Streets. It 
was once used as a source of the city water supply, and here, 1796, 
John Fitch experimented with his steamboat. It was drained and 
filled in about 1812, as it had become a menace to the public health. 

203. The Clermont — The first commercially successful steam- 
boat, built by Eobert Fulton and run by him to Albany in 1807. 
This boat did much to open up the interior of New York State and 
to develop the great interior of the continent, the latter being made 
especially necessary by the Louisiana Purchase. 

(When in Brooklyn insert Nos. 205, 206, 20", pagis37 38) 

43. Modern Ferry.— About five years later, Fulton perfected the 
first steam ferryboat which ran from Cortlandt Street to Pavonia. 
Other steam ferries soon followed, thus putting ISTew York City into 
easy and rapid communication with New Jersey and Brooklyn. The 
modern ferry is built on practically the same lines as Fulton's ferry- 
boat, although the newest boats (such as the one shown in the 
view) are propelled by two pairs of twin screws, instead of side 
wheels, making navigation swifter and safer. 

*221. Canal Street, 1812. —Canal used for draining the Collect 
Pond and crossed at frequent intervals by bridges. The great 
Canal Street sewer is still used to carry off the water from what is 
yet a very swampy region beneath the surface. 

(Omit in Brooklyn Lectures.) 



27 

Showing the original waterways, 
*222. Physical Map of \. , ° x ^ ., 

among wnicli may be noted those 

Manhattan. „ it. n a^ ^ ^t j 

lormerly m Broad street, Maiden 

Lane, Roosevelt Street, Canal Street and (just north of the last 
named) Minetta Brook. Harlem Creek ran northeast from the up- 
per end of Central Park and now forms the source of the Harlem 
Mere. The swampy region near Beekman Street is still called "The 
Swamp." 

(Omit in Brooklyn Lectures.) 

The original shore line is seen to be several blocks from both of 
the present river lines. This map also illustrates the city plan of 
streets and avenues at right angles and at regular distances apart. 
This plan was adopted in 1807, but is not yet fully realized. It is 
unfortunate that so little provision was made for parks and for 
avenues running diagonally. 

226. Battery, 1822. — All Battery Park was under water until 
long after the Revolution. Castle Clinton (now the Aquarium) 
was built as one of the defences for the War of 1812 on an artificial 
island and connected by a bridge with Manhattan. After the war 
it was used as a place for public amusements and celebrations; 
Lafayette and Kossuth were here received and here Jenny Lind first 
sang in America. Later the building became a receiving station 
for immigrants and so remained until its conversion into an aquar- 
ium. The original bomb-proof and embrasures may still be seen. 

Located at what is now the north end of 
228. Forts Fish and . 

Central Park and designed to resist at- 

* ' tacks anticipated during the War of 1812. 

On the height above Harlem Mere may still be seen an old cannon 
and mortar Iving near an original breastwork. 



28 

*231. Block House No. 1.— One of a series of stone forts erected 
on the hills facing Harlem Plains. Kemains of another block house 
may be seen at the north end of Morningside Park. 
(Omit in Brooklyn Lectures.) 

234. City Hall Park, 1822.— Showing the original fence sur- 
rounding the park triangle, the apex of which was where Broadway 
and Park Bow now meet. On the right may be seen the old Park 
Theatre, the Brick Church (now 38th Street and Fifth Avenue) 
a6d the 2nd Tammany Hall (now the "Sun Office") . 

235. City Hall To-day.— Our third City Hall was built (1803- 
12) on the site of the Almshouse. The front and sides are of 
marble and the rear wall of sandstone. On the first floor are the 
Mayor's Office (on the walls of which hang portraits of former 
mayors) ; the City Library (containing many valuable records) 
and other Municipal offices. 

236. Governor's Room. — But the chief point of historic interest 
in the building is the Governor's Eoom, so called because of the fact 
that here hang the portraits of nearly all the governors of New 
York since the Eevolution. The furniture of this room was once 
used by the Congress which met in Federal Hall. Here may be 
seen also the desks of Washington and Jefferson, a portion of 
Stuy vesant's pear tree, and the punch bowl used in the celebration 
of the commencement of the Erie Canal. 

237". Erie, 1825. — The beginning of the procession of Erie 
Canal boats from Buffalo to New York. As the fleet started a 
signal was sent across the state and down the Hudson by the boom- 
ing of cannon at frequent intervals. On the arrival of the fleet off 
the foot of what is now West 10th Street, the city officials joined 



29 

the procession and proceeded to the Navy Yard, where national 
officials came on board and all went out of the Bay to wed the 
water of the Lakes to the salt water of the Atlantic. Thus was 
completed the great work of Clinton, in joining the interior with 
the sea. New York now became the Empire State and now, for 
the first time. New York City became the Metropolis. 

242. Dewitt Clinton. — In large measure responsible not only 
for the completion of the Erie Canal, but also for the beginnings of 
free popular education. 

(School No. 2). On Chatham Street 

243. First Free School \ ^ ^ 

and Tryon Kow. 

The Free School Society was organ- 
ized May 6th, 1805, Mayor Dewitt Clinton being chosen president 
of the board of thirteen trustees. A public subscription list was 
circulated and the First Free School was organized May 19th, 1806, 
in a room on Madison Street (then called Bancker Street) under 
the care of Wm. Smith with about forty scholars. Col. Henry 
Eutgers (founder of Eutgers College) contributed two lots on 
Henry Street, where, later, School No. 1 was built. Meanwhile, 
the city presented the house adjoining the Almshouse, together with 
$500, and the following year the first building owned by the 
Society (shown in the view) was erected and dedicated (1809). It 
contained a large school-room, capable of holding five hundred 
scholars, a smaller class-room, a trustees' room and apartments for 
the teacher. 

School No. 1 was built on Eutgers' lots, 1810-11 and School No. 3 
in 1811 at Hudson and Grove Streets, on land donated by Trinity 
Church. In 1825 the name of the Society was changed to The 
Public School Society. "Ward Schools" were established by the 



30 

city in 1842, and 1853 the Public School Society gave up its rights 
and property to the city, all free schools being now put under the 
charge of the Board of Education. 

244. Modern School Buildin?. — (P. S. 79, Brooklyn.)— What 
progress has been made in the educational methods of New York 
City may be only dimly conceived by a comparison between the 
first and the latest public school edifices. 

240. First Railroad Train. — The first railroad to be built in 
New York State was the Albany and Schenectady, opened in 1831. 
The first railroad to enter the city was the Harlem E. E., which was 
chartered April 25th, 1831, and ran originally down Fourth Ave- 
nue and Centre Street to White Street. 

248. Teawater Pump. — On Park Eow, near Baxter Street, 
stood for many years this pump to which the people came for 
spring water, which they could also buy at one penny per pail. The 
Manhattan Water Company, chartered in 1799, supplied water to 
the houses through wooden pipes or bored logs. This water sup- 
ply proved to be unwholesome and insufficient in quantity. More- 
over, there was not enough pressure to make it available in case of 
fires. 

After many plans had been re- 

251. Fountain, City Hall .,,,,/! , , , 

lected, the Croton water-shed was 

Park, 1842. -^K fv, •+ ;i V. A 

acquired by the city and an abund- 
ance of pure water was formally introduced into New York City, 
1842. The fountain represented in City Hall Park was just north 
of the site of the present Post Office. A great procession, fireworks 
and speeches marked the occasion. 

252. Croton Reservoir.— On Murray Hill (in what was orig- 



31 

inall^y called Eeservoir Park, now Bryant Square), the first dis- 
tributing reservoir of the city. 

253. High Bridge. —Erected to convey the Croton Aqueduct 
across the Harlem. The tower was built to give a pressure suffi- 
cient (at the time of its building) to supply the highest edifices. 
At the time it was projected there was no conception of the present 
"skyscrapers." 

275. Crystal Palace. — A great building of iron and glass in 
Eeservoir Park and resembling the Crystal Palace of London. 
Erected to hold the first World's Fair in America. It was opened 
on July -ith, 1853. It was intended for after use as a place for per- 
manent exhibitions, but was destroyed by fire in 1858, just after it 
had been in use for the celebration of the successful completion of 
the first Atlantic cable. 

276. N. Y. Public Library. — Now being erected on the site of 
the old reservoir. Illustrates the progress New York City is mak- 
ing along intellectual lines. 

The first public library in New York City was founded before 
1700, but the first organized effort to consolidate and unify all the 
free city libraries came but a few years ago, after the settlement of 
the will of Samuel J. Tilden. The recent gift of Andrew Car- 
negie makes it possible for New York City to become the leading 
city in the world as regards free reading for the public. 

278. Squatter Settlement. —Showing original conditions in what 
is now Central Park, where several thousand "squatters" occupied 
rude shanties and fed thousands of domestic animals on city refuse, 
which they carted there for the purpose. After considerable agi- 
tation in favor of establishing a large park in some suitable part of 
the city, 1856, the site of the present Central Park was secured 



32 

for this purpose. It was necessary to drive out the squatters, regu- 
late old water courses and to make improvements which cost mil- 
lions of dollars. The results prove the wisdom of the plan. 

The park has sometimes been 

279. Central Park To-day, •,••-, . .-n ■ ■, , . ■. 

criticised as too artmcial, but it 

Terrace and Lake. , ,., . , , , 

IS very beautitul and has been a 

constant source of pleasure to the citizens. Within the last twenty 
years, great areas in the upper part of Manhattan and The Bronx 
have been secured for parks designed to be left, as far as possible, 
in a state of nature. 

283. Bronx Park. — Among these are Fort Washington, Van 
Cortlandt, Pelham Bay and Bronx Parks. The Zoological and Bo- 
tanical Gardens in Bronx Park are especially valuable. They form 
a popular educational factor in our city life. 

284. Mulberry Bend, 1892.— The center of the most densely 
populated district in the world. 

After considerable opposition, 

285. Mulberry Bend Park, ,, ,,„ in, . a .- i 

the bmall Parks Act was passed 
1903. ^ 

by the Legislature in 1887, au- 
thorizing the city to spend $8,000,000 for the acquisition of small 
parks in crowded parts of the city. Several years later the work 
was begun by demolishing the buildings on several blocks, and Mul- 
berry Bend Park was created. 

Other small parks and playgrounds have been created, leading to 
a marked reduction in the death rate and in the amount of crime 
in the surrounding neighborhoods. 

287. Broadway, 1840.— View taken near Grand Street, showing 
the former buildings and old style stages, which were the first 
means of rapid transit in New York City. 



288. Elevated R. R., 1 10th St.— The first horse railroad in the 
world was built on Fourth Avenue about 1831, but this method of 
transportation proved too slow, and, after a series of experiments 
with an underground railroad beneath Broadway (1868-70) and 
an elevated railroad on Greenwich Street and Ninth Avenue (1867- 
77), the present elevated railroad system was devised, all four lines 
of Manhattan being in operation by 1880. 

289. Trolley Car. — The new roads proving inadequate to accom- 
modate the traveling public, the Broadway cable road was built in 
1884 and was soon followed by overhead and underground trolley 
systems. 

290. Brooklyn Brld§:e. — For over two hundred and fifty years 
the only means of communication between Brooklyn and Manhat- 
tan had been by ferry. In 1866 was originated the first bond of a 
stronger union in the beginnings of the great bridge, completed 
1883. But only with the completion of the new East Eiver Bridge, 
the other bridges designed, and the tunnel from the Battery, will 
the problem of speedy and safe transportation between the two 
boroughs be solved. 

The city of New Amsterdam under its 

charter embraced the whole Island of 
New York 

Manhattan, but only the part below Wall 

Street was generally considered and treated as a municipality. 

Under the later colonial charters, the neighboring islands of the 
Bay and East Eiver were added. In 1873 that part of Bronx Bor- 
ough lying west of the Bronx Eiver was added to the City and 
County of New York, thus nearly doubling its area. 

In 1895 a still larger slice of Westchester County was added to 
the city, though not to the county, and in 1898 was formed what 



34 

is sometimes incorrectly called "Greater New York," when the 
boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens and Kichmond were added, making 
New York the second city in the world as regards both area and 
population. 

296. Rapid Transit Tunnel.— In the sidewalk in front of City 
Hall may be seen a bronze plate with the following inscription : 

At this place, 24th March, 1900 

Hon. Eobert A. Van Wyck 

Made the first excavation for the 

Underground Eailway. 

A work designed to facilitate rapid transit and to cement more 
closely the union of the boroughs. It is hoped to put at least part 
of this system in active operation by 1904. 

297. American Surety Bldgf. — On account of the vast increase of 
land values in the lower part of the city, it has been found neces- 
sary to erect the tall buildings commonly known as "sky-scrapers," 
their use being made practicable by the erection of elevators which 
render the ascent easy and swift. 

301. Sky Line. — The result of the high buildings has been to 
change completely the appearance of southern Manhattan from the 
harbor, notable differences between the old and new style of build- 
ings rendering the view most incongruous, but typical of New 
York City. 

302. First Appearance of Manhattan. 



303. Emblematic View of 
the Borou§:hs. 



Explains itself and may be used 
in pointing a moral when enjoining 
good citizenship in our metropolis 
which is "no mean city." 



35 



304. Song of New York. 

305. "America."— (Illustrated. 



ADDITIONAL FOR BEOOKLYK 

The De Hart Bero;en House, 
or Bergen , 
lo 
House. 



76. The De Hart or Bergen , , . ,, , , ^ 

located on the shore of Gowanus 



Cove, west of Third Avenue, 
near 37th and 38th Streets, was occupied in 1678 by Simon Aerson 
De Hart. This is proven by mention of the royal hospitality of 
Mr. De Hart in Dankers and Sluyters^ narrative of their visit to 
New York in 1679, as agents of the Labadist Society in Holland. 
They tell of the Indians during their drunken revolts rushing up 
to the De Hart house in pursuit of wives and children who sought 
safety within the walls of the old house, which was in fact much like 
a frontier trading-post. 

Such was the beginning of the 
77. Bushwick Church and ..,,.,,. . ^, ^ 

municipal buildings ot the town of 

Town Hall, I7ll. -u ^. ^ ■ .... ^ ■ x. 

Bushwick m 1711, which now in- 
cludes that portion of Brooklyn lying north and east of Broadway 
and Division Avenue, including the old 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th 
and 18th wards. The picture must tell its own story of the early 
agricultural community, as all the pre-Eevolutionary records are 
lost. There is a tradition, however, that on the first anniversary 
of the Declaration of Independence a celebration was held in and 
about the church and town hall. A liberty pole was erected in 
front of the latter, and cannon was fired on the common ("plein''). 
At this time Dutch was the spoken language of the community, and 
English merely the market language. This quaint octagonal church 



36 



with its spire rising among sloping roofs and a simple town house 
and the cluster of one-story Dutch houses with their long, overreach- 
ing curved roofs, sloping almost to the ground, must have been a 
scene indeed picturesque in its Dutch grotesqueness ; and so re- 
mained Bushwick (called by the Dutch Hetdorp) until the early 
part of last century. 

126. Denyse's Ferry. — Where now is erected Fort Hamilton in 
pre-Kevolutionary days stood three small frame houses, and the lo- 
cality received its name from one of the owners, who ran a row- 
boat ferry. The neighborhood was thoroughly tory. Nearby, the 
Americans early in 1776 erected a battery of two or three twelve- 
pounders, whose gunners had the temerity to attack the British 
frigate Asia. The latter soon replied with broadsides and de- 
stroyed the houses in the neighborhood, but evidently did not seri- 
ously damage the fort, as it is related by an English officer in his 
diary that when Lord Howe crossed from Staten Island to this point 
on the morning of August 23d, 1776, with 16,000 Hessians, they 
met with a vigorous resistance from an American battery. 

What an imposing scene it must have been to that little company 
of Americans under Colonel Hand, to have seen the opposite shore 
bristling with the arms and activity of that army, and then to see 
3,000 boat-loads form in column, and with a vanguard of gun- 
boats, row towards the Long Island shore ! Col. Hand's men stuck 
to their posts defiant, not hoping to repel, and only yielded when 
swarms of the troops disembarked and rushed up the hill to assault 
the battery. 

138. Bedford Corners.— After the American Army had aban- 
doned Brooklyn and vicinity and the British were in command of 
jSTew York, Bedford becam.e one of the permanent British camps. 



37 

The camp was located on the farm of Barent Lefferts, now crossed 
by Franklin and Classon Avenues, Bergen, Wyckoff, Baltic and But- 
ler Streets. 

The Barracks were mere hnts formed by making a trench 30 to 50 
feet by 13 to 15 feet, with a board roofing; a stone fireplace was 
arranged in one or two. There was no systematic plan of the camp, 
the hnts being located where the ground sloped so that there might 
be an entrance from the middle of the lower side. Outside of the 
camp, in favorable and convenient spots, officers pitched their tents, 
and the house of Mr. Lefferts became their headquarters. 

Major Andre made this house his quarters before Gen. Clinton 
sent him on the mission which resulted in his capture. At Bedford 
also were some hundred invalided officers and soldiers quartered on 
the families of the town. Before this, sentiment of the locality 
was quite tory, but this act put a damper on the fervor of the loy- 
alists and more deeply incensed the neutrals and patriots. This 
occurred in 1781; by 1782, the war had practically closed, when, on 
November 30th, the cloud of oppression lifted, and the British 
camp was withdrawn. 

205. Map of Ferry Village, About Ferry Village was a chister 

1816. of houses, taverns, stables and 

208. Old Ferry Road. shanties, which had grown up on 

the site of the original settlement at the ferry in the early Dutch 

days. In 1816 these formed the nucleus of a considerable business 

activity. 

The ferry consisted of one steam boat, one horse boat and row 
boats with no ferry house accommodations. One-quarter of a mile 
north was the New Ferry (1796), from which a road ran, meeting 
the old King's Highway, (Fulton Street) at Main Street. Such 



38 

was the Long Island settlement as seen from New York as late as 
1830. 

206. Guy's Snow Scene. — This represents the most important 
and most compact portion of Brooklyn, as it was from 1815 to 1820. 
It was sketched from a house on the site of the present 11 Fulton 
Street. To compare this scene with the present condition of the 
neighborhood, the observer should stand near the corner of Front 
and Dock Streets, looking up James Street on the opposite side, 
and along Front Street to Main ; and on his right to Fulton Street. 

1. Was for many years the post-office, until 1830, when a brick 
building was built. 

2. Original John Rapalje Homestead. 

56. Schermerhorn House. — Stood on the site of the Bennet 
House (burned during Kieft's Indian War), which was built 1636, 
on 3d Avenue, near 28th Street. The walls were part of the 
original house. 

Note. — The following additional books on local history are recommended : 
McClosky's Manual of the Common Council of Brooklyn. 
Bolton's and Scarf's Histories of Westchester County. 
Morris' Memorial Historv of Slaten Island. 



39 



SYLLABUS 



COURSE OF LECTURES 



ON THE 



History and Development of The City of New York. 



Lecture L 
Colonial Beginnings. 

The keynote of this lecture should be " begiunings.' It covers il) the 
period of discovery and exploration, the settlement, development, and early 
government of New Amsterdam. Special emphasis should be laid on the 
nature of the first city charter and the permanent Dutch influences as typitied 
by "Father Knickerbocker." 

This is followed by (2) English beginnings : the Engdsli cl lims to New 
Netherland, changes in city life, the Dongan Charter, and events during the 
first sixty years of English rule. Special emphasis should be laid on the 
changes in government and the beginnings of the struggles for liberty. 

1. Verrazano.— With whom begins (1524) the first definite 
knowledge of New York Harbor. He was sent by King Francis 
I. of France to find a passage to India, first touclied the American 
coast near the site of Wihirington, N. C, cruised north, and finally 
entered New York Harbor which, in his letter (Old South Leaflet 
No. 1), he describes as "a very pleasant situation among some 
steep hills, through which a very large river, deep at its mouth, 
forced its way to the sea; from the sea any ships heavily laden 
might pass, with the help of the sea, which rises eight feet." A 



40 

storm compelled him to continue to the northeast. He was fol- 
lowed by other navigators, but, as their voyages led to no valuable 
result, we need not consider them. 

JSTow at the height of its commercial 
aroor an l y pj.osperity which had increased during 

of Amsterdam. ^. , ^ • j j a ■ 

the recent war for independence, bpam, 

in 1609, made a truce with the Dutch for twelve years. Forced for 
ages to struggle with the sea for their very existence and lately 
forced to defend themselves in naval battles with their great an- 
tagonist, the Dutch were now foremost in maritime enterprise, as 
many as one thousand vessels entering and clearing the port of 
Amsterdam in a single day. 

Until nearly the end of the six- 
3. Map of Europe and ,, , „■-,-,. 

teenth centurv, bpam had been mis- 

America, About 1609. ^ . ^i ' i ^t. t. 

tress 01 tlie sea, and the limperor 

Charles V. controlled half of Europe. France Avas wasted by 

constant wars, Germany and Italy were weak and divided. The 

commercial power of England had only begun to develop after the 

destruction of the Spanish Armada, and she had not yet taken a 

prominent place among the nations. 

The Dutch Eepublic was at this time the manufacturing and 
commercial centre of the world, and, through its free institutions, 
a refuge for the oppressed of all Europe. It was also a centre of 
learning and culture. The New World, with the exception of the 
West Indies and other Spanish settlements, had not yet been opened 
up to European enterprise. The only permanent settlements in 
what is now the United States were at St. Augustine, Santa Fe and 
Jamestown. Methods of navigation were very crude, and no 
accurate charts of the American coasts existed. 



41 

Organized in 1602 for the double pnr- 

4. The East India „ a ■ , ^ ^ ■ 

oose 01 preying on Spanish treasure ships 

Company's House. ' ^ -,. -^r, j.r, -^ . t i- t 

and trading with the iiiast Indies. In 

1606 it declared a dividend of seventy-five per cent, on a capital 
of $3,600,000, and in 1609 it had in its service forty ships and five 
thousand men, its gross annual receipts being $12,000,000. Dur- 
ing its first fifteen years the total profits equalled forty-four times 
the original capital. 

5. Henry Hudson. (See page 3.) 

6. Half Moon Leaving Amsterdam. (See page 3.) 

7. Hudson's Landing:. (See page 4.) 

8. Village of Sappokanican. (See page 4.) 

9. Trading with Indians. — Hudson's mate was soon sent out in 
charge of a second vessel to engage in the fur trade. Others fol- 
lowed, the most prominent being Adrian Block, who came on the 
"Tiger." 

10. Burning of the "Tiger." — This vessel was burnt lo the wa- 
ter's edge, but during the following spring (1614) Block and his 
men built a little "yacht" of sixteen tons' burden, forty-four and 
one-half feet long and eleven and one-half feet wide, called the 
"Onrust" (Eestless), the name strangely prophetic of the notable 
characteristic of the future city. 

11. Adrian Block Tablet- — At 41 Broadway, recites the above 
facts and states that here, on this site, were built the first white 
men's houses on Manhattan. Some doubt this being the true site, 
locating it rather at the foot of Eoosevelt Street, where there was 
formerly a creek called "Old Wreck Brook," certainly a better 
place for anchorage than the unprotected North River shore. 



42 

12. Purchase of Manhattan. (See page 4.) 

13. Conflict with Indians. (See page 5.) 

14. Corlaer's Hook Park.— Corlaer's Hook was originally called 
Naig-ia-nac (Sand Lands), and was the site of an Indian village, 
a trail probably connecting it with Sappokanican. 

15. First View of New Amsterdam. (See page 5.) 

16. Site of Fort Amsterdam.— As it appeared in 1902. The 
block on which it stood is the site of the new Custom House now 
in process of erection, and- Bowling Green lies just north, where 
Broadway begins. 

Steamship Row for many rears oc- 
ir. Bowling: Green and ^^^.^^ ^^^^ ^.^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^.^ ^^^^^ 

Steamship Row. ^.^^.^^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^1^.^^ ^^^^ 

fifty feet in extent, and contained the barracks, garrison well and 
prison. 

The site of the Green was used as a Parade Ground and Dutch 
cattle market. ■ During the English Period, it was used as a pri- 
vate "bowling green," hence the name. (See also page 18.) 

18. Flag of the West India The flag was orange, white and 

Company and Seal of blue, although the Dutch national 

New Netherland. flag was red, white and blue. The 

seal of New Netherland (not to be confused with the later city 
seal) represented a shield bearing a beaver (emblematic of the fur 
trade) proper, surmounted by a count's coronet which signified that 
the position of New Netherland was equivalent to a province. The 
inscription signifies "The Seal of New Belgium." 



43 

19. Dutch Windmill.— The first mill of the trading post was 
run by horse-power and known as the horse-mill, erected in 1626 
on the site of 32-34 South William Street, called in Dutch days 
Slyck Steegh or Muddy Lane, and later. Mill Street. It was used 
for tanning and therefore located near the swamp. Its upper 
Btory was used as a church by Doniine Michaelius until a plain 
wooden building was erected on Pearl Street and used as a church. 
In the upper story of {he mill also met the first Jewish con- 
gregation until their synagogue was built across the street. Wind- 
mills were soon erected, one for grinding grain, a little northwest 
of the fort, and one for sawing boards, this being located on Gov- 
ernor's Island. 



Visible in the yard from the rear win- 

* dows and supposed to have been used in the 

at 40 Beaver Street. . .„ ^ ^ .x. . , v 

horse-mill. Iwo ot the stones have been 

incorporated in the foundations of the Temple Shearith Israel, at 

70th Street and Central Park West. 



"The Jews' Burying Ground," at 

21. Jewish Cemetery at , p /^i- o. i. j 

■■he corner of Oliver Street and 

Chatham Square. >- t, ^ . i 4> +i ■ 

^ew Bowery, first used lor this pur- 
pose in 1656, but not formally deeded to the Jews until many years 
later. It has just been marked by a bronze tablet. 

Second Jewish burying grouud, 

Jewish Cemetery at nth . i,tu i • .^oa 

established m 1 1 30, remaining m 

use until 1830, when 11th Street 

was cut through it. Some of the remains were removed to the third 

"Beth Haim" at 21st Street and 6th Avenue where the tombstones 

may still be seen. 



44 



23. Van Twiller and Citizens.— The second Dutcli governor, pa- 
troon Kilian Van Eensselaer's nephew (1633-38) succeeded Miuit, 
who had been recalled because of difficulties with the patroons. 
Van Twiller is the governor compared by Irving with "a beer bar- 
rel on skids," "five feet six tall and six feet five around." The 
scene represents David Petersen De Vries, a patroon of Staten 
Island, protesting to Van Twiller (centre of the group) against 
the allowing of English trading vessels to ascend the Hudson. Van 
Twiller has been called the first "boodle" governor of New York 
because he gained much public property by fraudulent means. Still, 
during his reign, many important public works were completed, 
such as Fort Amsterdam, the Governor's House, the Pearl Street 
church and several windmills. 

24. De Vrles-Benedict House, near Rossville, the first house on 
Staten Island (1640), erected by De Vries. 

25. The First Warehouse.— On Whitehall Street, near Pearl 
Street. 

At Broad Street and Exchange Place, 
about the end of the seventeenth century. 
Note the crow-step roofs and dormer win- 
dows. 



26. Early Dutch 
Architecture. 



As it looked in 1902, built of Dutch bricks, 
partly covered by a wooden sheathing, but it 
has lately received a new front. The deed of 
the present owner was originally acquired from Governor Lovelace. 



27. Old House, 
19 Pearl Street. 



28. Great Boot. — On rough-rock house, northwest corner of 
Vesey and Greenwich Streets, thought to have been part of the 
first lighthouse erected here early in the Dutch Period. The boot 
was carried in the Croton Water Procession of 1842. 



45 

The first schoolmaster, Adam 

29. School for Children ^ , . ,^ . ■ ^ i. ^ 

Koelantsen (Uroen), arrived before 
of the Burgher Class. t,+ i, i • i • 

1633 and taught school m his own 

house on Brouwer (Stone) Street. (Several interesting incidents 

in regard to this man and his school may be found in Innes' "New 

Amsterdam," chapter VII.) 

30. Schoolmaster's Instruments of Instruction. — This picture 
speaks for itself. 

31. Wadleigh High School. Completed 1902, and here intro- 

32. Interior, Wadleigh duced by way of comparison with the 

High School. first city school. 

33. Group Showing Holland Fashions. — Similar to those fol- 
lowed in jSTew Amsterdam. 

The former was granted in 1635 to 

34. Annetje Jans' and ^ , „ ^ , • . ^ ^ 

Koeiol Janssen, and consisted of 
King's Farms. . 

sixty-two acres between the present 

Warren and Canal -Streets, west of Broadway. Eoeloff's widow 
married Domine Bogardus. The farm was sold to Governor Love- 
lace in 1670, confiscated by the Duke of York, 1674, and called 
successively the Duke's, King's and Queen's Farm, until, in 1705, 
Queen Anne made a grant of it in perpetuity to Trinity Church, 
when, it was called the Church Farm. Much of it is still Trinity 
property, although the heirs of Annetje Jans have frequently en- 
gaged in fruitless litigation to secure it. Note the former shore 
line, the Kalch Hoeck, a hill rising above its swampy surroundings, 
and the stream which flowed through what is now Canal Street. 

35. Map of Original Grants. — Constructed from detailed de- 
scriptions of streets and lots as they had existed in the latter part 



46 

of the Dutch Period. (See first six chapters of Innes' "N'ew Am- 
sterdam," in which he disputes certain localities marked on this 
map.) 

Xote the Sheep's Pasture, once a swamp and drained by the 
canal in Broad Street. (Compare this with slide 227, Lecture 
III, and see City History Club Excursion No. VII.) 

The latter built of stone during 

36. Governor's House and -,^- ,,, -,•,.• i ^^ 3 

. , ^ Kiett s administration and callea 

Church in the Fort. 

the Church of St. JSTicholas; it is 

the mother of the Collegiate Churches in New York City. 
3r. Canal in Broad Street. (See page 6.) 
33- Along the Canal. (See page 6.) 

39. Broad Street, 1903. (See page 6.) 

40. First Ferry to Brooklyn. (See page 6.) 

41. De Smit's Vly.— A tract of lowlands between the East 
Eiver and the hills, stretching along the middle of the island and 
extending from Wall Street to the site of Beekman Street. Vly 
in Dutch means valley. Maiden Lane was a path connecting the 
Ferry Eoad (Pearl Street) with Broadway. (See Innes, Chapter 
XX.) 

42. Fulton Ferry (in 1746).— Two blocks further north than 
the Vly. Compare with slide 40. 

43. Modern Ferryboat. At Cortlandt Street— Compare with 
primitive ferry. (See also page *26.) 

44. Palisades on Wall Street. (See page 7.) 



47 

45. Water Gate and Wall. (See page 7.) 

46. Wall Street To day. (Seepage 1 .) 

47. Peter Stuyvesant. (See page 8.) 

48. New Amsterdam and Map of New Netherland. (See page 8.) 

49. View of New Amsterdam, 1656. — For details and clearer 
views (redrawn) of the early houses, see Innes' "New Amsterdam." 

50. Stuyvesant's Whitehall.— His town house at the foot of 
Whitehall Street, so called because of its whitewashed bricks, or by 
way of derisive comparison with the royal palace in London. 

51. East River Shealhing.— On the East Eiver shore, in front 
of the Stadt Huys, illustrating the beginning of the methods of 
reclaiming land from the rivers. The sheathing was a close line 
of wooden palisades, originally intended to prevent water from 
flooding the cellars. It was gradually extended and the interven- 
ing low ground filled in. 

52. Stadt Huys. (See page 9.) 

At 73 Pearl Street, stating that this 
Stadt .^ 

Huys Tablet. 



53. Reading: on Stadt . ,, -^ n ,i ^ . r> + i rr ^ 

is the site oi the first Dutch House of 



Entertainment on the island, and that 
it later became the City Hall. 

54. Three City Seals. (See page H.) 

55, Fire Buckets. — One of several hanging in the headquarters 
of the Exempt Firemen, ISTo. 10 Jefferson Market, where may be 
seen many other interesting relics of the volunteer firemen. The 



48 

first leather fire buckets in New Amsterdam were delivered to the 
city in 1659, fifty being placed in the Stadt Huys, and the others 
being distributed about the city. The "bucket brigade" soon fol- 
lowed. 

56. Schermerhorn House. (See page 38.) 

57. Bellman on Rounds. (See page 16.) 

58. In the Stocks. (See page 17.) 

Containing Nicholl's terms of sur- 
?^ render, and brought, September 2, 

1664, by a delegation including Gov- 
ernor Winthrop, of Connecticut. The contents stated that, under 
the English flag, freedom of trade between the colony and Holland 
would not be restricted, and that the rights of all would be re- 
spected. Stuyvesant, in a rage, tore the letter, fearing its effect 
on the citizens, who were clamoring for surrender, hoping to gain 
greater privileges under English rule. 

60. Surrender of New Amsterdam. (See page 11.) 

61. Stuyvesant Bowery House. (See page 8.) 

62. Stuyvesant's Pear Tree — Site marked by a tablet (n. e. 
corner of Thirteenth Street and Third Avenue) stating that here 
flourished this famous tree for over two hundred years. Parts of 
the tree may be seen in the New York Historical Society Building 
and in the City Hall. 

Showing the lines of the early streets 

63. Map of Stuyve- , ,, , , , 

sant'S Bowery modern street plan, together 

with the location of points of interest 
in connection with the Stuyvesant family. 



49 

^ „ „ . . ^, Second Avenue, between 10th and 

65. St. Mark's on the ,,^, ^, ^ \ n . 

nth Streets, erected (1795-99) on 
Bowery. 

the site of Stuyvesant's little wooden 

church and just east of the site of the Bowery House. 

65. Stuyvesant's Tomb. (See page 12.) 

66. Father Knickerbocker. (See page 12.) 

67. Portrait and Auto§:raph of James I. (See page 13.) 

(1661.) Note the errors as to the ISTar- 

68. Duke's Plan of j .i, • i ^ j^ +i, tt t5 

rows and the islands ol the Upper Bay. 
New York. rr ^ 

Compare the streets with those on slides 

Xos. 35 and 237. 

69. Andros.— English Governor of New York, 1674-82, and 
again Governor of New York, New Jersey and New England, 
1688-89. He did much to improve the city, through special ordi- 
nances as to cleanliness, the filling of the Broad Street canal, and 
the removal of the tanneries to Maiden Lane (later to Beekman 
Street and thence to "the swamp"). Streets were regulated, the 
market house and Great Dock huilt, excise laws made more rig- 
orous, and New York City received its bolting monopoly (see slide 
54). 

Eelations with the Iroquois were improved for the sake of the 
fur trade. Although called a tyrant, it was Andros who suggested 
the granting of a liberal charter to the province. 

70. Dong:an Charter. (See page 14.) 

71. Residence of Don§:an.— Erected 1661, destroyed 1878. 
Home of ex-Governor Dongan until his death, in 1715. 

72 View of New York City in 1679. (See page 16.) 



50 

73. View of New York City, 1679.— Near the Water Gate. 

74. View of New York City, 1679.— Region above Wall Street. 

75. Wet Docks. —Broad Street, 1679. Shown from Brooklyn. 
The above four slides were made from sketches made by the Laba- 
dist Fathers, who made a tour through New York. Their com- 
plete journal has been translated, and may be found in Vol. 1 of 
the Memoirs of the Long Island Society. 

76. De Hart-Bergen House. (See page 35.) 

77. Bushwick Town House and Church. (See page 3.5 .) 

78. Junction of Pearl and Chatham Streets in Colonial Days. 

(See page 16.) 

79. First Milestone. (See page 17.) 

80. Bowery, 1903. (See page 17.) 

81. Leisler's House and the Fort. — Leisler's house in the fore- 
ground. 

82. Leisler's Rebellion. — Brought about by the English Eevolu- 
tion of 1688, when the colonists rose up against their royal 'govern- 
ors. Leisler, captain of the train-band, seized the fort and ruled 
with an iron hand for several months, until new oflficers were sent by 
King William. Leisler refused to give up the fort to the Lieuten- 
ant-Governor, on the ground that he had no commission, but 
promptly surrendered to the Governor, William Sloughter, on his 
arrival, several days later. He was tried and executed for treason, 
but, later, was declared innocent by a special act of Parliament. 
His body was then disinterred and reburied with honor. His prop- 
erty, which had been confiscated, was restored to his family. (See 



51 

an interesting discussion on this subject in Wilson's '^'Memorial 
History," Vol. I., Chapter 12.) 

83. Kidd's House. — On Pearl Street, at Hanover Square. Kidd 
was chosen by Governor Bellomont and others to suppress the 
piracy which was so frequent at that time, New York having 
become a favorite port in which to dispose of the booty. Later, 
Kidd claimed to have been forced by his crew to turn pirate him- 
self. He was arrested in Boston (1701), sent to England for trial, 
found guilty and hauged. 

84. Middle Church. —So called because located between the old 
South Church on Garden Street (Exchange Street) and the North 
Dutch Church on Fulton Street. It was on Nassau Street, be- 
tween Liberty and Cedar Streets. 

85. Middle Church Tahlet. — Northeast corner of Cedar and 
Nassau Streets; states that the church was dedicated in 1729, 
became a military prison in 1776, and was restored in 1790, occu- 
pied as a U. S. Post Office from 1845-75 and torn down 1882. 

86. Trinity Church, 1788. — Picminds us of the original Trinity, 
built in 1697. The first structure was outside the Wall. (See 
slide 46.) 

On the north side, near the 

8T. Oldest Graves, „ , ^- , ■ t>- v j nv i. 

front, the stone to Kichard Church- 
Trinity Church. ^^ (second from the left in the view) 

bears the date 1681. (For an interesting account of these old 
graves see Hemstreet's "Nooks and Corners in Old New York," pp. 
58-72.) 

88. English City Hall. (See page 15.) 



52 



Opposite the City Hall, on Broad 

89. First Main Watch 3^^.^^1.(1731.89). The City Marshal 

House. ^^^ ^^^ Supervisor of the night watch, 

all "ahle and sober men of good reputation" heing liable to actual 
duty. Many changes in the system occurred, the watch frequently 
being a paid force. 

States that William Bradford, 

90. Tablet: First ^^^^.^ ^^.^.^^^ established the first 
Printing Press. printing press in New York in 1693 

at 81 Pearl Street. 



91. Fac-simile New 
York Gazette. 



The first newspaper of New York, a 
single weekly leaf, the size of half a 
sheet of foolscap. 



92. Gazette Office Tablet.— On the old Cotton Exchange at 
Hanover Square ; states that here, in 1725, was first published this 
little paper. 

Fac-simile of the rival sheet (1733) in- 
tended to defy tbe tyranny of the royal gov- 
Weekly Journal 

ernor. 

94. The Zenger Trial. —For the freedom of the press. Un- 
signed articles had appeared accusing Governor Cosby of serious 
breaches of the law and general malfeasance in office. Zenger, the 
editor of the "Journal," was prosecuted by the governor for libel, 
the trial being held in the City Hall. After an eloquent appeal by 
Lawyer Andrew Hamilton, who claimed that telling the truth was 
not libel, even when it stated unpleasant facts about the chief 
executive, Zenger was unanimously acquitted by the jury amid the 



53 



applause of the populace. Thus was established, for the first time 
in America, the liberty of the press. 

95. Printing House Row.— The picture shows the statues of 
Franklin and Greeley. 

Benjamin Franklin applied at one time for a position in Brad- 
ford's printing office, but, as there was no vacancy, he went on to 
Philadelphia to seek his fortune. There he soon rose into prom- 
inence in connection with the great struggle which was already im- 
minent, and in which a free press was to aid so greatly. 

It is fitting that his statue should stand in Printing House Kow 
nearby that of Horace Greeley, another great advocate of freedom. 



55 



Lecture ll. 
The Struggle for Independence: New York the Federal Capital. 

The keynote of this lecture should be "The Struggle for Independence." 
It opens with a number of pictures of the city as it was about the middle of 
the 18th Century. These are followed by views illustrating local events of 
the Revolution, of which many interesting traces are still visible. Those wish- 
ing to dwell more fully on events in Manhattan may discard some of the 
Brooklyn slides. 

The lecture closes with an account of Washington's Inauguralion and New 
York as the Federal Capital. 

CN. B. — In Manhattan and The Bronx lectures omit slides marked*; in 
Brooklyn and Richmond lectures omit slides marked+.) 

+ 100* Lispenard Meadows. (See page 16.) 

J 01. Map of New York, J 750. —Note the growth northward, es- 
pecially toward the northeast. The great highway was Broadway 
(ending abruptly just above the Common), Chatham Street (now 
Park Eow), and the Bowery, which followed the line of Broadway 
between Union and Madison Squares ; here it parted, the Blooming- 
dale Eoad continuing north to Kingsbridge and the Bowery run- 
ning northeast to Harlem, and known as the Old Post Road. See 
Greenwich Village, separated by great swamps from the city proper 
and joined to it by Greenwich Eoad (Greenwich Street) and con- 
nected with the Bowery by Monument Lane (Greenwich Avenue) 
and Art Street (Astor Place). The closely built-up portion of the 
city ended near the Common, farms and country seats occupying a 
large part of the island. 



56 

+ J02. Weehawken Street — Showing old houses near the foot of 
West 10th Street which may have occupied this site since 1760. 
Lying in the path of the projected Pennsylvania E. E. Tunnel, it is 
probable that they will soon be demolished. 

103. Montgfomery Charter. (See page 15.) 

J04. King's College. — The first college in New York, opened in 
1760, although classes began in 1754. It was closed during the 
Revolution and used part of the time as a military barracks. When 
reopened in 1781. its name was changed to Columbia. 

JOS. King's College Tablet. — Corner of Murray Street and West 
Broadway, the latter street being known until recently as College 
Place, in honor of the old college here located. 

106. Columbia University A splendid successor to such an 

Library. humble beginning. 

107. Tablet on Columbia To commemorate the original 

Library. building. 

108. Fort and Battery, 1750. (See page 17.) 

J09. Raising Liberty Pole. (See page 17.) 

J JO. Tablet to Liberty Pole — Erected in the south side of the 
Post Office by the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

J J J. Golden Hill Inn — At 122-4 William Street. Built of 
Holland brick and one of the oldest houses on the island. It was 
a meeting place for the Liberty Boys, and in this vicinity was 
fought the Battle of Golden Hill. 

J J 2. Golden Hill Tablet. —At the northwest corner of William 
and John Streets, to commemorate the Battle of Golden Hill. 



57 

n3. Pitt statue.— Now in the New York Historical Society 
building. It was set up originally at the corner of Wall and 
William Streets to honor the great English statesman who spoke in 
Parliament in favor of the colonists. The statue was mutilated by 
the British stationed here during the Eevolution. 

114. Delancey House Tablet.— At 113-15 Broadway. Marks 

the site of the Delancey House where it is said tlie Non-Importation 
Agreement was signed by New York merchants. The tablet is now 
hidden by a business sign. 

JJ4a. King's Arms Tavern. — Claimed by some writers to be a 
later name of the Delancey House, while others say that this was a 
tavern near the Bowling Green and that here was signed the Agree- 
ment. 

J J 5. Willett Tablet.— Broad Street, corner of Beaver Street. 
Commemorating the seizure of the colonial arms (which had been 
confiscated by the British and were then being carried away to be 
sent to Boston) by Marinus Willett and his Liberty Boys. 

Formerlv on a building on West 
U6. ™et : Washington's g^^^^^ ^^^; L^.g^^ g^^^^^ ^^^^^ 

Landing. ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ General Washing- 

ton landed when on his way to join the Continental Army at Cam- 
bridge in 1775. He was received with honor by the citizens who 
were forced, on the same evening, to receive with similar ceremonies 
their royal governor. 

Ml, Montgomery Tablet. —On the rear (Broadway) end of St. 
Paul's Chapel. Commemorates the heroic death of General Mont- 
gomery in his vain assault, December 31, 1775, on Quebec. A 
later inscription relates the fact that his remains were brought to 
New York in 1818 and here interred. 



58 

JI8. Readini: Declaration of Independence. (See page 18.) 

n9. Mayor's Window. — See the tablet beneath the window. 

120, Battery and As they appeared during the Eevolution. 
Bowling: Green. (See also slide IT, p. 18.) 

J2J. Statue of Geor§:e III. (See page 18.) 

J 22. Richmond Hill Mansion. — Formerly on the site bounded 
by King, MacDougall, Charlton and Varick Streets, built by Abra- 
ham Mortier,^ British Commissary General, in 1760, occupied by 
Washington as his headquarters until the defeat in Long Island. 
It was later the residence of A'ice-President Adams and of Aaron 
Burr. 

J23. Kennedy House. — No. 1 Broadway, headquarters of Gen- 
eral Putnam (probably not of Washington, although so stated on 
the tablet) and, later, of British officers. 

J 24. General Putnam. — Succeeded Sullivan on Long Island, 
because of the latter's illness. 

125. Battle of Long: Island. (See page 18.) 

126. Denyse's Ferry. (See page 36.) 

J 27. Battle of Long: Island, August 27, t776. 

128. Vechten-Cortelyou House. (For above two slides, see page 
19.) 

*J28a. Howard's Inn — Where the British, under Howe, Clin- 
ton and Cornwallis, halted while on a circuitous march. At the 
Half Way House, a little southeast of Jamaica Pass (now East 
New York), a small, unmounted patrol of American officers was 



59 

captured and compelled to reveal the unguarded condition of the 
Pass. The British then continued their march, forcing Howard 
and his son to act as guides. At 8 :30 the vanguard had reached 
Bedford Corners and were ready to fall on the rear of the left of 
the American outposts. Thus hemmed in, Sullivan's troops cut 
their way out and retreated to the Brooklyn defences. 

*n% Redoubt at Valley Grove. 

*J30. Battle Pass and Valley Grove (1866). 

At the old settlement, now in- 
cluded within Prospect Park, Sul- 
(Prospect Park). t u^ + 

nvan had erected a redoubt to 

guard this Pass, but it was of little avail when, at nine o'clock on 
the morning of August 27, 1776, he found Hessians in front and 
the British in the rear of his army. 

Thus surprised, the American troops fled, cutting their way 
through the Light Infantry, Dragoons and Hessians in a hand-to- 
hand fight and reached their intrenchments after a considerable 
loss. Sullivan was captured and the American centre and left were 
broken. The right still held out, under Lord Stirling, with his 
brave Maryland and Delaware battalions. 

A tribute to the memory of 
*I32. Maryland Monument, ^^^^ g^.^.^.^^,^ brigade, who 

drove the British from their bat- 
tery despite the hail of grape and canister, and would have spiked 
their guns but for the heavy fire of the grenadiers who had taken 
refuge in the Cortelyou House. In the adjacent hills, eight thou- 
sand of the enemy were preparing to oppose the little band of 570 
Americans. After an hour's fighting, having five times assaulted 
troops twenty times their number, the Americans accomplished their 



60 

purpose— of enabling their fellow soldiers to escape across the 
marsh. With half their number killed, their general a prisoner, 
they held their ground until all were safely across. 

*J33. Fort Greene Tablet.— On the Smith-Gray Building, to 
mark a redoubt which stood on the site bounded by what are now 
Atlantic Avenue and Pacific, Nevins and Bond Streets; this be- 
came the site of Fort Fireman in 1813. 

Originally called Cowen- 
*I34. Washington Park, Site of ^^^^^^,^ ^^^^^.^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^^ 

Fort Greene. g.^^ ^^ ^^^^ Putnam, a re- 

doubt of five guns overlooking Waal-Boght (the Navy Yard). From 
here, a line of intrenchments extended down to a spring near the 
intersection of (now) Flushing Avenue and Portland Streets. An- 
other line extended southwest across Fulton Street to about the 
junction of Bond and Warren Streets. These intrenchments were 
occupied by Colonels Magaw, Shee and Glover with fresh troops, 
August 28, 1716. Fort Greene is the name given to redoubts 
built on the same site in 1812. Washington Park was created in 
1847. 

Caused by the superiority in numbers of 
the British and the fear that they would 
render untenable the American position. 
Washington's foresight had led him to collect all available boats 
for the transportation of the army, and, under the cover of dark- 
ness and a providential fog, the troops were brought safely across 
to Manhattan by the morning of the 30th of August. 

*J36. Presbyterian Church Used during the Revolution as 
at Jamaica. a British prison. 



61 

*J37. Suydam House. —On the farm of Vigelius, West Broad- 
way and Palmetto Street, and captured by the British. 

*J38. Bedford Corner. (See page 36.) 

*I39. Lefferts' Mansion.— Headquarters of the Hessians at Bed- 
ford Corner. (See also p. 37.) 

*I39a. Labon's Inn. —Occupied by the Hessians. 

*I39b. Old Dutch As it appeared in 1776 ; successor to the 

Reformed Church. old Dutch Church of 1666. 

*J39c. Billopp House.— At Tottenville, Staten Island, facing 
Earitan Bay, and erected 1668. Eich in historic associations as 
the home of the Billopp family, an English barracks, headquarters 
of Howe, scene of the Peace Conference with three representatives 
of the Continental Congress after the Battle of Long Island. 

*I39d. Moravian Church. — At New Dorp. Established 17-12, 
built July 2, 1763. The first building is still standing in part. It 
was set on fire by the Hessians, but it was saved before much 
damage was done. According to the Moravian custom, both church 
and parsonage were under one roof, hence the un-churchlike ap- 
pearance. 

*139e. Moravian Church.— A later view. 

140. Map of Manhattan. — Showing defences in 1776. Note 
lines of works along the river shores and across the island about 
Grand Street; also at Hell Gate and at Washington Heights. See 
the Post Eoad, Bloomingdale Eoad, the lines marking the British 
landing at East Slth Street and the retreat of Putnam up the 
Bloomingdale Eoad. 



62 

HU Roger Morris (Jumel) Mansion. (See page 20.) 

+ 142. Tablet on Broadway.— Between 43d and 44th Streets. 
Marks the meeting place of Putnam with Wasliington during the 
retreat of the latter. 

+ 143. McGown's Pass Tavern.— (Original.) 

+ 144. Map of McGown's Pass in the Revolution. 

The British, after landing at 

+ 145. McGown's Pass Tavern t^. , o<4.t o^ ^ ^ ^ j? 

Jbast 34th Street, stopped lor 

rest 'land refreshment at the 
Murray House. The story of their delay by Mrs. Murray's clever 
action is quite familiar. It is also related by Lossing that a little 
later in the day a boy of twelve, named Andrew McGown, led the 
pursuers off the scent and thus was Washington again saved. (For 
full account of this incident, see the City History Club Bicycle 
Excursion No. II.) A little breastwork still commands this Pass 
(slide 228). 

+ 146. Point of Rocks.— On Harlem Heights at 127th Street and 
Convent Avenue. Supposed to be the site of the American lookout 
at the time of the Battle of Harlem. 

147. Battle of Harlem Heights. (See page 20.) 

148. Tablet Battle of Harlem Heights. (See page 20.) 

149. Harlem Heights Battlefield To-day. (See page 20.) 

.ten f»i^ TN 1 TT On the Kingsbridge Eoad (now 

+ 150. Old Dykeman House, ^ & » v 

jo^, Broadway) at 210th Street; a pre- 

Eevolutionary relic past which 
Washington's army retreated toward White Plains. The region 



63 

hereabout is yet called Dykeman's Meadows, from the family who 
owned this part of the island in early days. 

151. King's Brid§:e, 1903, — Across which marched the retreat- 
ing army. It was built about 1693 by Frederick Phillipse and is 
the oldest bridge joining Manhattan to the mainland. 

152. Fort Wasliin§:ton Celebration, 1901. (See page 21.) 

153. Fort Washing:ton Monument. (See page 21.) 

Where, in October, 1776, 
+ 154. Landing: Place Of British ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ 6 000 

at Throgg's Neck. 

Hessians. 

+ 155, Glover Tablet.— Erected to commemorate what is known 
as the Battle of Pell's Neck. Here Lord Howe, with 3,000 Hes- 
sians and Grenadiers, was opposed by General Glover with his three 
regiments of 800 men. Three times the Americans repulsed their 
assailants and, finally. Glover was forced to retire to the neighbor- 
hood of King's Bridge. 

+ 156. Revolutionary Magazine at Hunt's Point. (See page 21.) 

+ 157, Howe's Headquarters.— A well preserved colonial house 
used by Lord Howe in October, 1776, and now within the grounds 
of the Westchester Country Club. 

Still standing at 138th Street, 

+ 158. Gouverneur Morris' ^^^^ g^ ^^^,^ Avenue. The 

House. ^^^^ q£ ^j^g Morris family who 

once owned the Manor of Morrisania, consisting of what is now 

known as Mott Haven, Melrose and Morrisania. 



64 

+ 159. EastChester Church.— The parish at Eastchester was es- 
tablished October 29, 1700. The graveyard and vicinity were the 
scenes of skirmishes between the Cowboys and Skinners. Upon a 
threatened attack of the latter, the villagers hid the bell and buried 
the valuables of the church. This was one of the four churches 
established by Queen Anne. 

+ 160- Spy Oak. (See page 21.) 

161. Nathan Hale. (See page 22.) 

162. Provost in Early Days. (See page 22.) 

163. Register's Office. (See page 22.) 

164. New Hall of Records. (See page 22.) 

165. Bridewell. — The common jail, built ^n 1775 between 
Broadway and the site of the present City Hall. It Avas used by 
the British as a military prison, then as a city jail until 1834, when 
it was torn down. 

166. Cuyler (Rhinelander) Sugar House. (See page 23.) 

167. Rhinelander Window. (See page 23.) 

168. Tomb of Prison Ship Martyrs. 

169. Interior of Tomb.— This picture shows the first attempt 
to give sepulchre to the remains of those who died in British 
Prison Ships. The cornerstone of the monument was laid April 
13th, 1808. The coffins were deposited with impressive ceremonies 
in the vault on ]\ray 18th, but the monument was never erected, 
for lack of funds, which, however, have at last been secured. 

170. Martyrs' Memorial. (See page 23.) 



65 

in. Cannon on Broadway.— Sot in the sidewalk at Tin-pot 
Alley (Exchange Alley) but seldom recognized as a Eevohitionary 
relic. 

172. Evacuation. (See page 23.) 

173. Continental Army entering: New York. (See page 23.) 

174. Bull's Head Tavern,— An old headquarters for cattle trad- 
ers, on the Bowery, below Canal Street, where now stands the 
Thalia Theatre. Here the American army rested on Evacuation 
Day until, the British had left the Battery. 

175. Fraunces' Tavern, 1903. (See page 23.) 

176. Fraunces' Tavern at an Early Date. (See page 23.) 

177. Fraunces' Tavern, 1777. (See page 23.) 

178. Washington's Farewell. (See page 24.) 

179. Van Cortlandt Mansion.— Erected 1748 by Frederick Van 
Cortlandt, near the Albany Post Eoad. House one of the most 
interesting relics of colonial days. Washington and Eochambeau 
dined there July 23, 1781. King William TV. and Eear Admiral 
Digby were here entertained and, in return, sent teakwood vultures, 
which were captured from a Spanish privateer during the Eevolu- 
tion. They formerly surmounted the gate posts. Southwest room 
occupied by commander of Hessian Yagers. Washington's head- 
quarters in November, 1783. The quaint interior has been pre- 
served and an air of the olden times still pervades the whole build- 
ing. The two guns in front were found on the site of Fort Inde- 
pendence in 1853. They were two of the twenty-one nine-pound- 
ers carried off from Fort George by Alexander Hamilton, August 



66 

23, 1775. Sent first to Kingsbridge, then fourteen were mounted 
.on Fort Independence ; on the abandonment of that post, the guns 
were put in a trench, where several were found in 1853 by Mr. 
Giles. (See also page 24.) 

The original mill was a one-story 

+ 180. Ruins of Van ^ .^^. , . ^ xi 

CortlandtMill. bmldmg; when removed to the 

present site in the chestnut grove, 

another story was added to the grist-mill and the saw-mill was 

built. During the Eevolution the grist-mill was used by both 

British and Patriots, according as the fortunes of the neutral ground 

placed it. Up to 1831 the mill was turned by a wooden' wheel and 

ground corn for the local farmers until 1899, when the city took 

possession of the land, now Van Cortlandt Park. The mill was 

probably built in 1700 when Jacobus Van Cortlandt made Van 

Cortlandt Lake by damming Tibbett's Brook (Mosholu Creek). 

181. Alexander Hamilton. (See page 24.) 

182. Federal Procession. (See page 24.) 

183. Hamilton Grangfe, 1804. (See page 24.) 

184. Hamilton's 13 Trees.— As they appeared in 1903. 

185. Hamilton's Tomb. (See page 25.) 

186. Hamilton's Tomb Inscription. (See page 25.) 

187. Washingfton Taking: the Oath. (See page 25.) 

188. U. S. Sub-Treasury. (See page 25.) 

189. Washingfton Tablet, Sub-Treasury. (See page 25.) 

190. St. Paul's Chapel. (See page 25.) 



67 

191. Pulpit, St. Paul's. —Surmounted by the carved plumes rep- 
resenting the coat of arms of the Prince of Wales ; the only sign 
of royalty in the Chapel not destroyed by the patriots after the war. 

192. Washington Pew, St. Paul's. (See page 25.) 

To commemorate the hundreth 

193. Washingfton Tablet, . t.- -, ., . ■ . 

St Paul's anniversary of his death, which was 

observed here December 14th, 1899. 



194. First Presidential 
Mansion. 



On Cherry Hill (now Franklin 
Square) ; formerly occupied by the 
New York merchant, Walter Frank- 
lin. Here Washington lived for a few months, but afterward moved 
to the McComb Mansion, at 39 Broadway, to be nearer the center 
of the city. 

195. Tablet to the Presidential Mansion.— On Brooklyn Bridge 
pier, at the site of No. 1 Cherry Street. 

196. Government House. —Built south of Bowling Green for a 
permanent presidential mansion, but, as the capital was moved to 
Philadelphia in 1790, the house was used by the governor of the 
state until the removal of the state capital to Albany. 

I9t. Washington Arch. —Erected 1889, to commemorate the 
hundreth anniversary of Washington's inauguration. It is hoped 
ultimately to surmount it with a quadriga emblematic of the career 
of the great soldier and statesman: "First in war, first in peace and 
first in the hearts of his countrymen." 

N. B. — For brief accounts of the work of Hamilton for the rati- 
fication by New York of the Constitution, and on life in the first 
federal capital, see Todd's "Story of the City of New York," chap- 
ters 3 7 and 18. 



69 



Lecture 111. 
New York the Metropolis. 

The keynote of this lecture should be "development," as it is intended to 
show how New York City became a great metropolis. 

It opens with the invention of the steamboat and shows scenes in early 
Brooklyn before the steam ferry was perfected. 

Other views illustrate the application of steam to ocean and railroad travel 
aided by the invention of the telegraph and the Atlantic cable. 

Local development along the line of rapid transit and the beautification of 
the city is also outlined. 

201. Collect Pond. (See page 26.) 

202. Robert Fulton. 

203. The Clermont. ^ (See page 26.) 

204. Albany Dayboat. — By way of comparison. 

205. Fulton Memorial, —Erected in Trinity Churchyard (1901) 
by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Fulton's re- 
mains rest in a neighboring vault. 

206. First Steam Ferry. — Built for Fulton, and crossed the 
Hudson between New York and Paulus Hook. The boiler 
exploded in 1824, destroying the boat and causing the failure of 
the company. 

20 r. Map of Ferry Village. (See page 37.) 

208. Brooklyn Snow Scene. (See page 38.) 

209. Brooklyn Snow Scene, Key. (See page 38.) 



70 

210. Old Ferry Road. (See page 37.) 

211. The Dreadnaught. — The first packet service between New 
York and Europe, the Blackball Line, was established in 1816, the 
Eed Star following in 1821. The round trip of these sailing ves- 
sels occupied about forty days. Then came the famous clipper 
ships between New York and China, and when the gold fever broke 
out many clippers were built for San Francisco ; one vessel making 
the journey around the Horn in eighty-two days. The best known 
clipper was the Dreadnaught, which frequently crossed the Atlantic 
in better time than the ocean steamers of her day. 

212. Modern Steamer. — Although the Savannah, a side wheel 
steamer, had crossed the Atlantic in 1819, it was not until 1848 
that the first regular steamer line — the Collins— was established, 
soon followed by the Cunard Line. Now, even the ocean grey- 
hounds are not fast enough to satisfy the demands of modern travel. 

213. Ericsson Statue. — In Battery Park. To commemorate the 
inventor of the Monitor which saved the city from a threatened 
attack by the Confederate fleet. The most important achievement 
of Ericsson was the perfection of the steam iDropeller, which en- 
abled steamers to make better time at less expense. 

214. John Jacob Astor. — The progress in our shipping leads 
us to speak of the great New York merchant who began life in 
this his adopted country with a small stock of London goods and 
"thrift, energy, good habits, and the invincible determination to 
succeed." He became a fur merchant and trader, competing with 
three well established companies. The story of the experiences of 
his Oregon traders reads like a romance. 



71 

215. WashiDgfton Irving.— A stor is, however, honored to-day 
chiefly for his active philanthropy and his patronage of letters. 
Washington Irving was, among others, materially aided and en- 
couraged by his wealthy friend. Irving's "Knickerbocker History 
of New York," while in many ways a gross caricature, did much 
to stimulate interest in local history and traditions. 

216. Hell Gate Explosion.— Hell Gate ("beautiful pass"), on 
the Manhattan shore of which Irving composed his "Astoria," was 
the scene in 1878 of a terrific explosion to clear it of some of the 
dangerous reefs, "Pot Eock," "the Gridiron," and "Frying Pan 
Ledge," which had been instrumental in the destruction of many 
ships, sometimes numbering as many as 1,000 wrecks in one year. 
In 1880, Diamond Eeef, in the Narrows, and in 1885, Flood Eock 
in the East Eiver, were blown up for similar reasons. The Har- 
lem Ship Canal has rendered it possible for large vessels to save 
much time in passing from the Hudson to the Sound, while the 
best coast survey and signal service in the world have rendered our 
naturally fine harbor one of the safest. 

Summing up the above improve- 

217. Bulletin of Steam , ", m • « .• i 

ments and showing their en:ect m les- 
sening the time of travel, making 

cheaper rates, increasing the amount and value of commerce and 

binding together more closely various sections. 

219. Map of Collect Pond.— Showing this region once covered 
by water or in a swampy condition and reclaimed by the canal in 
Canal Street (see slides 201 and 321). Note changes in streets 
named and read City History Club Excursion No. III. 

220. Old Tombs Building:. — Or "Halls of Justice," occupying 
part of what was once the Collect Pond. Its bad sanitary repu- 



72 

tation was partly due to the malaria arising from this still imper- 
fectly drained region. 

221. Canal Street, 1812. (See page 26.) 

222. Physical Map of Manhattan. (See page 27.) 

223. Mount Morris Park. — A few blocks north of Central Park 
and illustrating most graphically the geological strata of this part 
of Manhattan. (See the rocks at the left.) New York is very 
rich in minerals. For a full description of this region, see Grata- 
cap's "Geology of the City of New York," American Museum of 
Natural History. 

224. Extension of Battery since 1783. 

225. Castle Clinton as Aquarium. 

226. Battery, 1822. — The above three slides are described on p. 
27. (Slide 226.) 

^ „ , _ Showing the original and present 

22r. Map of City Below , ^. , . , . ; • . - 

Wall Street (1898). '^"""^^ ^'''^' ^^^ P°^"*' °^ ^''*°"^ 
interest. People sometimes think 

that all the old landmarks of the city have been destroyed, but a 

glance at this map will convince them to the contrary. (For full 

explanation of the map, see City History Club Excursion VII.) 

228. Forts Fish and Clinton, 1812. 

229. Forts Fish and Clinton, 1900. 

230. Cannon at Fort Clinton. 

231. Block House No. 1. 



73 

232. Block House No. 3. —The above five slides are described 

on pages 27 and 28, slides 228 and 231. 

233. Lawrence's Tomb.— Near the entrance of Trinity Church- 
yard. Containing tlie remains of the brave sailor whose dying 
words were, "Don't give np the ship." The cannon shown in the 
view were used during the War of 1812. 

234. City Hall Park, 1822. (See page 28.) 

235. City Hall Park To-day. (See page 28.) 

236. The Governor's Room. (See page 28.) 

The steamboat (which revolution- 
218. New York's "Three . -, , , 

ized travel by water), the Erie Canal 
Beneficent Genii." ,,.,,.,' 

(which built up the Northwest and 

opened trade with the interior), and the railroad (which supple- 
mented these means of transportation). 

23r. "Erie." (See page 28.) 

238. Map of New York State.— May be used to show the route 
of the Erie Canal and some of the trunk lines of railroads enter- 
ing New York. 

(1) In colonial days: the fur 

239. Factors of New York's ^ ' x. xi t j- " 

trade with the Indians, as shown 

Greatness. • • + 4. .^ i, ^ 

m pictures ot the purchase oi 

Manhattan, an Indian chief, the beaver, the Dutch vessel; English 
merchantmen and war vessels, the flour barrel and mill sail, and the 
sugar house. 

(2) In the Federal period: as shown in views of Fulton, the 
Clermont, the clipper ship, modern steamer, canal lock, Dewitt 



74 

Clinton, a modern locomotive, telegraph pole, elevated railroad, 
Brooklyn Bridge, skyscraper, and a map of the city to-day. 

240. First Railroad. {See page 30.) 

241. The Empire State Express. 

242. Dewitt Clinton. (See page 29.) 

243. First Free School Building:. (See page 29.) 

244. Modern School Building. (See page 30.) 

245. Colleife of the City of New York.— As planned, on Har- 
lem Heights. 

246. Old Board of Education Buildin?.— At Grand and Elm 
Streets. 

24r. New Board of Education Building:.— At 59th Street and 
Park Avenue. 

248. Teawater Pump. (See page 30.) 

249. Old Pump. —Still in nse near the corner of Church and 
Cedar Streets. 

250. Manhattan Tank.— Built by the Manhattan Water Com- 
pany and still visible through the windows of the brick building 
on the northwest corner of Centre and Duane Streets. 

251. Fountain, City Hall Park. (See page 30.) 

252. Croton Reservoir. (See page 30.) 

253. Hi§:h Brid§:e. (See page 31.) 



75 



^^^ T- X T. ,, X-. Washington" No. 1; hand en- 

254. First Brooklyn Fire 

gmes were m use in New York 

during the 18th Century, succeed- 
ing the bucket brigade. 



Engine. 



255. Fire of 1835. — A most destructive conflagration, burning 
nearly every building from the Merchants' Exchange (site of the 
present Custom House) to Coenties Slip. The need of a better 
water supply and more effective fire engines was clearly demon- 
strated. 

256. Fire Tablet.— At 90 Pearl Street, to mark what was nearly 
the center of the great fire. 

One of the last surviving relics of 
25 r. Mount Morris Park ^. , , , ^i • . n , • . 

the days before the mstallation ot 

the fire telegraph system. Such tow- 
ers were located in various parts of the city for lookout stations 
and signal bells. 

258. Harry Howard. — The famous chief of the volunteer fire 
department. 

259. Fireman's Certificate. — Eepresenting a scene at a fire in 
the early days. 

260. Firemen's Monument. — In old St. John's Burying Ground 
(now Hudson Park) to mark the remains of two members of Eagle 
Fire Engine Company 13 who perished in an early fire. 

261. Old Style Fire Hydrants.— Of various sizes and often de- 
fective, leading to great difficulty in the extinguishment of fires. 
Great improvement has lately been made along this line. 



262. Modern Fire Engine.— New Yorkers may be justly proud 
of their fire department. Though very expensive to maintain, it 
fully deserves its reputation for effective work. 

263. Fly Market, 1825 — In the region of the old "Smit's Vly" 
(see slide 41). It was near the foot of Fulton Street and was 
the best known market of its day. 

264. Fulton Market, 1903— On the site of the "Fly Market." 

265. New Pushcart Market. — Established in the spring of 1903 
near the new East Kiver Bridge. 

As they appeared in 1831. City 

266. Park Theatre and 

Hall Park lying on the right and St. 
Park Row. 

Paul's Chapel in the background. 

The first Park Theatre was erected in 1798, burned in 1820, rebuilt 
in 1821, and finally destroyed in 1848. It was the fashionable 
playhouse of its day. 

26T. The American Museum.— On the site of the County Court 
House in City Hall Park. Established about the beginning of the 
19th Century "for the sole purpose of collecting and preserving 
whatever may relate to the history of our country and serve to 
perpetuate the same." 

At the corner of 11th Street 
268. The New York Histor- ... rr., .. • 

and 2nd Avenue. Ihe Society 
ical Society Building. , . . -, / 

was founded m 1804 and the 

present building erected in 1853. It is fortunate that the valuable 

archgeological and art collections of the Society will soon be housed 

in a much larger building on Central Park West, where it is hoped 

they will be made more accessible to the public. 



77 



269. New York University — Established originally on Uni- 
versity Place to give free collegiate instruction to the boys of the 
city The nndergradnate departments are now conducted at Uni- 
versity Heights, the Schools of Law and Pedagogy being carried 
on in the new building on the old site. 

270 Prof. S. F. B. Morse.— Whose experiments, conducted in 
the old University building, resulted in the perfection of the mag- 
netic telegraph, which revolutionized modern methods of business 

and communication. . 

It was not until 1844 that a trial line, built by Congressional 
appropriation, was completed, the first message in Morse's code bemg 
"What hath God wrought." 

■ 2T1 Great Eastern.-Which laid the first submarine cable be- 
tween Europe and America. The first messages, between Queen 
Victoria and President Buchanan, were sent in 1B58, but soon i^ 
cable stopped working, and it was not untU the Crvrl War m 
1866) that the new cable was laid and the old one repaired. John 
Bright called Cyrus W. Field "the Columbus "^^f;™ 'T si : 
by his cable had moved the New World alongside the Old. feoon 
the inventions ol Morse and Field will be out ol date, when the 
Marconi system is perfected. 

272 Peter Cooper.-Another great merchant whom New York- 
ers delight to honor. The best monument to his memory is 

2T3 cooper Union.-The motto on the north side of which "To 
ScLce and Art" implies that these are not only for the wealthy, 

but for any deserving boy or girl. 



78 

274. Poe Cotta§:e.— At Fordham, where the author of "The 
Eaven" spent his last days. Poe Park has recently been estab- 
lished near the little cottage. 

275. Crystal Palace. (See page 31.) 

276. New York Public Library. (See page 31.) 

277. Worth Monument.— In Madison Square, covering the re- 
mains of this hero of the Mexican War. It may be interesting to 
note that this is the second public monument erected in New York 
City since the Eevolution, the first being the equestrian statue of 
Washington at Union Square. From the fountain may be seen a 
double line of trees between which formerly ran tlie old Harlem 
Post Eoad which branched off here from the Bloomingdale Eoad, 
now Broadway. 

278. Squatter Settlement. (See page 31.) 

279. Terrace and Lake, Central Park. (See page 33.) 

280. Metropolitan Museum.— Incorporated 1870, the original 
building erected in 1879 and lately enlarged. The Natural His- 
tory Museum and Botanical and Zoological Gardens at Bronx Park 
are other examples of what has been done to make New York City 
an educational center. 

281. Riverside Drive.— It was not until after the Civil War 
that New Yorkers showed to any great extent what might be done 
to make the city beautiful. The new parks and parkways already 
completed or projected are doing much in this direction. 



79 

On Riverside Drive. Frequent 

282. Soldiers' and Sailors' .^. , , , . ^ .i . ^ 

ridicule has been cast at the statues 

and other public monuments in New 
York, but it is hoped that the new Municipal Art Commission may 
do as good work in the future as is evidenced by this monument. 

283. Bronx Park. (See page 32.) 

284. Mulberry Bend, 1892. (See page 32.) 

285. Mulberry Bend Park, 1903. (See page 32.) 

286. Stagfe in the Thirties. 

287. Broadway, 1840. (See page 32.) 

288. Elevated Railroad. (See page 33.) 

289. Trolley Car. (See page 33.) 

290. Brooklyn Brid§:e. (See page 33.) 

291. Brooklyn City Hall. — Which became the Borough Hall 
after the annexation of Brooklyn in 1898. 

292. Map Of New York City. (See page 33.) 

293. Bird'seye View of New York City. 

294. Comparative Area of Great Cities — Showing New York in 
the second place. 

295. Rapid Transit Tablet. 

296. Rapid Transit Tunnel. (See page 34.) 
29T. American Surety Building:. (See page 34.) 



80 

298. View from Tower of World Building. 

299. View of New York Harbor, 1903. 

300. View of New York Harbor, 1679. — Showing whales spout- 
ing; taken from the Labadist's Journal. 

301. Modern Sky Line. (See page 34.) 

302. First Appearance of Manhattan. 

303. Emblematic View of the Boroughs. (See page 34.) 

304. " The Song of New York." 

305. "America" 



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